In a dramatic turn of events, the Champions League witnessed a significant moment as Mohamed Salah's return to Liverpool's starting lineup coincided with a crucial victory, leaving manager Arne Slot relieved and optimistic. But is this the end of their struggles?
Slot reminisced about his Feyenoord team's success in Marseille, securing a spot in the Europa Conference League final in 2022. However, the pre-match press conference took an unexpected turn when he was quizzed about Xabi Alonso's rumored Liverpool appointment, an odd and impolite inquiry.
Liverpool's commanding away performance in Europe silenced any speculation about the manager's future. They added Marseille to their list of conquests this season, alongside Eintracht Frankfurt and Inter Milan. Despite a somewhat unremarkable 13-match unbeaten streak (W7 D6), Liverpool boasts the longest ongoing unbeaten run among Europe's top five leagues, with their last defeat dating back to November.
The match marked a turning point as Liverpool secured their first win since November 4, when Salah started, defeating Real Madrid in the Champions League. This triumph seemingly draws a line under Salah's controversial interview at Leeds, allowing both player and manager to move forward for the club's betterment.
Pre-game, Slot acknowledged Salah's importance, stating to TNT Sports that his absence was an experiment, and Liverpool's lack of goals from possession was evident. He emphasized that Salah is the player in Liverpool's history who can deliver the goals they need.
Although Salah failed to extend his record of 46 Champions League goals for Liverpool, missing a second-half chance, Liverpool's confident display in a 4-2-2-2 formation will please Slot. He praised Salah's professionalism, noting his fitness to play 90 minutes after a month away and minimal training.
The tactical setup saw Florian Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai supporting Hugo Ekitike and Salah, while Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez provided width. Frimpong's energy allowed Salah to concentrate on attacking, though the latter still contributed defensively.
Match of the Day's Steven Warnock suggested that Salah thrived in Liverpool's formation, and continuity could enhance his performance. He added that this role reduces Salah's defensive duties, keeping him fresher and more threatening. Warnock observed that Salah seemed poised to pounce on any opportunity, despite missing two good chances.
Both full-backs excelled, offering width in possession and contributing defensively. However, the challenge of breaking down a low block persists, despite former captain Steven Gerrard's advice for Slot to stop discussing it. Gerrard, while praising Slot's tactics, believes low blocks have always been a challenge for Liverpool.
Slot, however, maintains that Liverpool's inconsistency stems from struggles against low blocks, which differ from open games. Bournemouth may not employ a low block on Saturday, but Andoni Iraola might be tempted to do so, considering Liverpool's recent difficulties.
This victory is a moment to savor for Liverpool and Slot, creating another memorable night in Marseille. But the question remains: Can Liverpool consistently overcome the low block conundrum?
