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Liverpool's manager requested an encore of the team's showing against Real Madrid as the title holders travel to Manchester City this weekend. For Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior on Tuesday, read Erling Haaland on Sunday. Stopping one more of the game’s finest strikers, while keeping a third clean sheet in a row, would reinforce Slot's declaration that Liverpool are still in the chase for the biggest prizes.

Perfect Remedy for Poor Form

Their European win over the Spanish side's La Liga pace-setters, who had 13 wins from 14 matches before their arrival at Anfield, was an ideal solution for a Liverpool team aiming to recover from the wounds of the worst run of his tenure. Additionally, it served as excellent groundwork for the challenge ahead at the Etihad Stadium: a rival that prefers to attack, which doesn't defend in a low block and carries an clear and dangerous attacking prowess.

“It will be similar a little bit,” said Virgil van Dijk, who dominated Haaland at Anfield the previous campaign. “We're up against a high-flying side like today and a striker, like today, who was on fire. When that happens you have to be precise and I think we showed we were good as a team defensively.”

Key Factors

Slot’s list for why things went right against Madrid as well as Villa last weekend – were consistent with his explanations for why things went wrong during a run of six losses in seven matches. Additional rest, not conceding first, and better conditioning of players such as Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley following disrupted preparations played a part. They backed up his previous arguments and choice to prioritize less the Carabao Cup by using rotated players against Crystal Palace.

• The return of the familiar midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch enhanced the protection to Liverpool’s backline.
• The welcome reappearance at full-back of Andy Robertson, who has started each of Liverpool’s past three wins, brought composure and leadership to a defence.
• The German playmaker impressed again in the Champions League but not in the attacking midfield position he usually plays in the Premier League.

Dominant Display

Szoboszlai was again Liverpool’s driving influence in the centre. The Hungary captain is excelling this season and has cemented his place as a leader in Slot’s side.

“Dom is consistently reliable,” said Van Dijk. “He is very important. The energy he brings during matches is incredible, the skill that he has is outstanding and he is developing with every outing.”

Looking Ahead

Szoboszlai started in attack with Curtis Jones and scored at the Etihad previously as Slot caught City cold by switching to a alternative formation. That win in February put Liverpool 11 points clear at the summit with 11 games to play. This weekend they will be chasing the leaders but, as the manager emphasized after beating Real, there is a long way to go for Liverpool to mount a comeback.