Arne Slot’s Liverpool put out a statement of intent when they dominated Manchester United 3-0 at Old Trafford on Sunday.
This was Liverpool‘s biggest test of the new Premier League season and it was a chance for many to see what Slot is made of.
Liverpool won their opening two matches, but it was against newly-promoted Ipswich Town and a Brentford team without Ivan Toney.
But after the full-time whistle against Manchester United, the opening two games were more difficult than the test the under-fire Erik ten Hag and his team put up.
Liverpool, thanks to a brace from Luis Diaz and another Old Trafford goal for Mohamed Salah, danced their way to victory and a huge three points.
Michael Owen certainly loved what he saw, including the quality on display for Liverpool’s second goal – Diaz and Salah combined for the opening two.
The former striker stated that Diaz’s finish for the second goal was ‘brilliant’ and he doesn’t think Salah passed the ball to him to be hit at the first time of asking.
Paul Scholes loved the pass from the Anfield icon by stating ‘what a pass that is from Salah’ and how he thought he wanted to do a ‘one-two’ with Diaz, as he told Premier League Productions (01/09/24 at 5:00 pm).
Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah destroy Manchester United
“Another brilliant, brilliant finish, for me,” said Owen about Liverpool’s second goal. “I don’t think Mo Salah is passing it to him necessarily for a first-time strike. It almost bounces slightly in. I thought he was going to take a touch.
“It’s a great pass. But I am not sure he was thinking right ‘I am going to hit this first time’. Put the goalkeeper off guard. That is a really, really difficult finish. That’s the clinical nature I talk about.”
Scholes added: “I was just going to say ‘what a pass that is from Salah’. It almost looks like he (Salah) is going for a one-two (with Diaz).”
Liverpool Premier League title challenge
When Klopp left Liverpool in the summer, many worried for Slot, not because he isn’t good enough, but the fact that he had to replace such a legendary figure.
As a result, there was a section of people questioning how well the Reds would do this season, but fast forward to the present and there is now talk of a title challenge.
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Liverpool missed out on the Premier League title last season, despite being top of the table for long periods.
There were a lot of injuries last season and you sense if most of them can stay fit, then there could be a title charge on, not forgetting that new signing Federico Chiesa is yet to play for Liverpool.
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