Two familiar Liverpool heroes validate Arne Slot’s call to extend European dominance

Two Familiar Liverpool Heroes Validate Arne Slot’s Call to Expand European Dominance

And a win came testament to Slot getting a major call right. Liverpool’s last Champions League outing was defined by Caoimhin Kelleher’s penalty save from Kylian Mbappe. With Alisson fit after 11 games out and two months on the sidelines, the Brazilian returned. He was not eased back into action; his defence and an impressive Girona side did not afford him that luxury.

Alisson made five saves before Salah scored, four before half-time, three in an eight-minute spell early in the match. It was a terrific display which was testament to Slot’s sure touch in his decision-making. Alisson’s first stop came when Girona got both full-backs into the box, then Daley Blind missed his kick from six yards and, with a less clear chance, Alejandro Frances drew a scrambling stop. He soon denied both Bryan Gil and Miguel Gutierrez, made a flying save from the impressive Yaser Asprilla’s well-struck long-range shot and kept out Arnaut Danjuma’s effort just after the break. “We have an incredible goalkeeper,” said Slot.

It amounted to a one-man rearguard action. As at Newcastle last week, Liverpool were not sufficiently secure defensively. They scarcely seemed to benefit from the rest they were afforded by the postponement of the Merseyside derby. There was an element of generosity to their goal, a penalty kindly given for Donny van de Beek’s challenge on Luis Diaz, with the aid of a VAR review. Girona are entitled to feel aggrieved but Salah, who missed from the spot against Real, scored this time. It was his 16th goal of a productive season, even if he had a quiet night, and reinforced Liverpool’s reputation as second-half specialists: 20 of their last 23 goals have come after the break.