LIVERPOOL, England — The anticipated clash between Arne Slot and Xabi Alonso showcased a fascinating managerial confrontation. Ultimately, it was Slide, the Liverpool manager, who emerged victorious against the coach many expected to take the helm at Anfield this season.
Luis Diaz’s stunning hat trick, along with Cody Gakpo’s single goal, led Liverpool to a commanding 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League on Tuesday. The fans cheered enthusiastically for Slot, solidifying his place in their hearts as they chanted his name after the match.
slot reflected on the rare occurrence of fans singing for a manager, particularly noting that such receptions are uncommon in his native Netherlands.
Having taken over from Jurgen Klopp in the summer, the Dutch tactician has made a significant impact, propelling Liverpool to the top of both the Premier League and the Champions League standings with an impressive start to his tenure. With this victory, Slot achieves his 14th win in 16 matches, making this particular win symbolically significant, especially considering Alonso’s reputation.
Despite the narrative surrounding his matchup with Alonso, who has garnered attention as one of Europe’s premier young managers and a former Champions League-winning player for Liverpool, Slot maintained a cool demeanor. When Klopp announced his unexpected intention to leave at the end of last season, Alonso appeared poised to take over, as he was steering Leverkusen towards a successful campaign.
As time progressed, Alonso decided to remain at Leverkusen, squashing any rumors of a potential move, while Liverpool opted to pursue Slot. His appointment has so far proven advantageous for both him and the club.
Slot, who formerly coached Feyenoord, has seamlessly begun to fill the tremendous gap left by Klopp, a celebrated figure in the club’s history and an extraordinarily successful manager. Early indications suggest that Liverpool is ready to compete for major trophies under Slot’s leadership.
Rather than faltering under the weight of expectations set by Klopp, who won several trophies during his time, including the Premier League and Champions League, Slot seems to welcome the challenge. “We aim to maintain our current position and compete for everything,” he stated. “Thus, one must recognize that working or playing here means dealing with pressure.”
Leverkusen, while struggling this season with only three wins out of nine matches across competitions, faced a harsh reality with this defeat, marking their largest loss in over two years since a 5-1 setback against Eintracht Frankfurt. Alonso remarked, “Losing 4-0 is not pleasant. They are an exceptional team, and they made the most of their opportunities.”
The match held the potential for an alternative storyline, one where Alonso, celebrated by Liverpool’s fans, could have returned triumphantly, showcasing what the club might have experienced had he taken the managerial reins. Even with this defeat, Alonso’s reputation remains intact; his leadership brought Leverkusen their first German title, ending Bayern Munich’s eleven-year domination. They narrowly missed a prestigious treble after losing the Europa League final to Atalanta.
Given his accomplishments, discussions about Alonso as a potential future manager for elite clubs, including Real Madrid, are no surprise. However, Slot has quietly taken the reins at Liverpool, demonstrating that he can lead the team effectively.
Although he claimed the Dutch league title with Feyenoord, Slot was not initially regarded as the prime candidate to succeed Klopp. Lacking the same overt charisma as his predecessor, he has instead assumed his role with a calm disposition, allowing his team’s performance to speak volumes.
With an impressive eight wins from ten matches in the Premier League, Liverpool currently leads the league ahead of the four-time defending champions, Manchester City. Additionally, their perfect record in the Champions League is putting other elite clubs, including City and the reigning champions Real Madrid, on notice.
Luis Diaz remarked on the positive trajectory under the new manager, acknowledging the challenges of stepping into Klopp’s shoes. “Things have gone very well, and we hope to show our success at the end of the season,” he added.