Arne Slot reveals half-time team talk that inspired Liverpool's statement win over Real Madrid

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·27 de novembro de 2024

Arne Slot reveals half-time team talk that inspired Liverpool's statement win over Real Madrid

Liverpool flew out of the blocks after the restart as they beat the European champions

Arne Slot revealed he told his Liverpool players at half-time to “forget the shirt” they were playing as they beat Real Madrid at Anfield.

Vídeos OneFootball

Liverpool moved back to the top of the standings in the Champions League after a fifth straight win, making it 17 victories in 19 matches under Slot in all competitions.

Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring just after half-time before Cody Gakpo doubled the lead and put the hosts in control, with Liverpool beating Real for the first time since 2009.

The Reds were dominant in the early stages of the second-half before they deservedly took the lead, and Slot was asked about his half-time message to inspire the impressive performance.

“I felt that we were a bit too impatient,” Slot said of his side’s display in the opening 45 minutes.

Every time when they threatened us - which didn’t happen a lot - it was from us being sloppy in passing or forcing it too much.

Alexis Mac Allister fired Liverpool in front after 52 minutes

Peter Byrne/PA Wire

“So I said: ‘I think there’s more in you guys than you show at the moment. You can play with more intensity and better with the ball. Forget the shirt that you face, just do what you always do and hopefully we can create more chances than we did in the first half.’”

In a dramatic ten-minute spell at Anfield after Mac Allister’s goal, Kylian Mbappe saw his penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher before Mohamed Salah then smashed his own spot-kick off the outside of the post and wide.

It was another impressive showing from Kelleher, who has consistently delivered since coming into the side with Alisson Becker out injured.

“The same thing that went through my mind when Mo Salah stepped up,” Slot said when asked what he was thinking as Mbappe went to take the penalty.

“In most situations you think it’s probably going to go in, because they have such a great record. But yeah, both missed. They showed us today that they are human beings.

“In Mbappe’s situation, [Kelleher] saved it which made it more special for us. There was another situation where he was also outstanding.

“He’s done remarkable for us, just like our other goalkeeper, but he did remarkable today.”