Liverpool came into their Champions League fixture with more than a handful of questions: how would this team respond to their disappointing draw against Burnley; how would Mohamed Salah be welcomed back into the squad; and, perhaps most immediately important, could Liverpool put together a solid enough 90 minutes to make their chances at advancement a little less tenuous? After a solid outing, Liverpool put together what looked a relatively convincing performance to at least silence the doubts for a little while.
Let’s take a closer look, then, at how it happened and what it might mean for the Reds.
Winners and Losers
Winners
Mohamed Salah’s Return
Mohamed Salah’s reintegration into the squad was a major talking point for pundits and fans alike. Obviously, despite the fact that the Egyptian King had already played for the Reds following his ill-advised presser prior to departing for the African Cup of Nations, drama mongers were filling the media with “open questions” about how – and in some case if – Mo Salah would be a part of Arne Slot’s plans. The answer was a pretty emphatic yes, with Salah getting the start fresh off of his stint with Egypt at the tournament. Salah had his moments and, like the Reds over the past few weeks, seemed to be misfiring a bit. But he always posed a threat and, if anything, the Reds’ recent improved fluidity in attack only seemed to be enhanced with him in the side. It was a welcome sight for fans and should, as Slot indicated in the pre-match build-up, mean that Liverpool will convert more of those chances they create.
Balance
It wasn’t exactly a dominating performance, but Liverpool put together about as good a full-90 on both ends of the pitch as I can remember. They managed to maintain their seemingly consistent levels of creation as Opta indicated that the Reds created 1.4 xG on the day. On the other end, Slot’s choice to start Alexis Mac Allister over Curtis Jones seemed to provide enough stability from which the Reds could build their attacks. It was a welcome return to form for the Reds.
Losers
The Woodwork
Truly loser behavior to deny Hugo Ekitike such a gorgeous goal. I’m still offended tbqh.
Dissecting the Narrative
We mentioned it earlier but a lot of what this iteration of Liverpool looked like at its nadir was a side that had, to be generous, spent all of its luck while trying to tilt the play towards the attack in hopes of breaking down low-blocks. Marseille were not necessarily set up in a low-block, but they were certainly more committed to actually attacking. And Liverpool’s defense has been scattershot to say the least.
Still, allowing for the caveats, Liverpool not only came out statistically, they continued to scrape and came away with well-earned goals. These weren’t the types of goals that came from a side that was hoping and pleading for luck; Liverpool had to graft, yes, but they made good on the effort they put in.
And perhaps that’s the most important lesson on the day: that this Liverpool side under Arne Slot was never the swashbuckling, irresistible force that Jurgen Klopp’s was. But it is something closer to what we recall under Slot’s Year 1: competent moving forward, but solid at the base.
It’s taken some time to navigate back to that old identity, but it was a very welcome sight to those of us watching. Almost, I think, like the warm glow from seeing an old friend.
What Happens Next
With this victory, the Reds see themselves relatively safe at 5th place in the Champions League table, making it exceedingly likely that they will make it into the next round, with a win over Qarabag FK in the final matchday of the league phase ensuring automatic progression. It was the minimum of what most fans were wanting and Slot’s charges delivered.
Now, Liverpool look to a trip to Bournemouth in order to get things right in the league. I’m sure fans would welcome the sort of competent and comprehensive victory that was on display today.
