Lessons Learned: Arne Slot Grabs First Liverpool Victory at Anfield Against Brentford | OneFootball

What we Learned from Liverpool’s Victory Over Brentford

I don’t know if you like your stats but there’s maybe a few that telling do the Arne Slot reign so far. Two games four goals scored, zero conceded, the highest xG in the league (5.3) and lowest conceded (0.8). There really was so much to like about this victory over Brentford, who are a physical team and enjoy a good serving of aerial bombardment at times too. It took Liverpool 12 games last season to get 2 clean sheets, yet it’s been accomplished already and this felt a lot like Ipswich. Ok in the first half, but not dominant or fully controlled by any means. However, the second half saw a scoreline that flattered the opposition. The talk has been of transfers for many, but as we look at the lessons learned from Brentford, it should be of a team that’s looking pretty special just now.

Diaz Making A Strong Start

He was good overall against Ipswich, but the miss was what most remembered. That was quickly forgotten in this one, with a goal and an assist for the Colombian who was superb. He created the most chances (5), won the most duels (6) and finished with 100% passing accuracy. Most importantly, his finish for the opening goal was a pleasant surprise. Receiving a perfectly weighted slide ball from Jota, he still had work to do at full pace. Two perfect touches later, you wondered where it would end up on his left foot. A controlled finish past Flekken which was later complimented by Salah being picked out for the second was thoroughly deserved. This Diaz looks unstoppable at the moment.

Konate Back With A Bang

This is no slight on Jarrell Quansah, but Ibou Konate reminded everyone just why he’s the first choice partner for Virgil Van Dijk in this one. He was dominant in the air and made a key clearance at the back post in the first half. Konate was dominant in every sense, often smashing into tackles when needed and his passing (73 completed was the highest on the team) was progressive throughout. He won every single one of his duels (4/4) and ‘Ibbbbooouuuuuuu’ deservedly rang around Anfield on a number of occasions. I’d give a kidney to keep him fit and like this for the rest of the season, but we’ll see what happens. The shirt is his without doubt for now.

Photo: IMAGO

Trent Talk Shouldn’t Overshadow Everything Else

John and Linda will have enjoyed what they saw, after parking up the yacht in Aberdeen. The talk was all about Trent’s reaction to being substituted which will fill column inches due to the contract situation. Players being upset when taken off is nothing new and Slot spoke about the need to protect him. What should have been spoken about though was: Grav looking decent again in the six, how good Allison and VvD looked again, every starting forward having at least two goal contributions in two games and how much we like what we see of Slot-ball so far. There was a win, control, a clean sheet and so so much to like. Trent’s reaction will be chip paper in a day or so.