Klopp’s Liverpool – Real’s favorite opponents
A new or rather old classic?! On Wednesday (21pm, in REAL TOTAL-Liveticker and at DAZN) Liverpool FC and Real Madrid on the fifth matchday of the Champions League league phase – for the twelfth time in total and for the first time in the new format of the premier class. A duel with a long history, in particular from three finals of the most important competition in Europe. The Royal’s record against the Reds so far is extremely positive: Real won seven games and lost only three, with one draw. The first three meetings between the two big clubs all went to Liverpool, including the final of the European Cup in Rome in 1981 – to date the last final defeat of the Royal on the European stage. But since 2009 Real Madrid undefeated against the Reds. In the last ten years in particular, the 19-time English champions have become a favorite opponent for the Blancos, who have won six of seven meetings since 2014 and one ended in a draw. In other words: In Jürgen Klopp’s nine-year era as Liverpool coach (since 2015), Liverpool have only managed one draw against the Champions League record winners, while Real have won five games – including the two CL finals in 2018 in Kiev and 2022 in Paris.
The Merengues also have a positive record at Anfield Road: Real have only lost once at Liverpool’s stadium, one game ended in a draw, and the Spanish record champions have won two. This was also the case in the last meeting between the two heavyweights at the legendary venue on February 21, 2023 in the first leg of the Champions League round of 0, when Karim Benzema and Co. literally overwhelmed Klopp’s team after quickly falling behind 2-5 and ultimately winning 2-XNUMX.
Tactical Evolution under Arne Slot
Under Jürgen Klopp, Liverpool FC’s style of play was defined above all by relentless pressing and surprise counter-attacking football. Watching the reds play full-throttle football under the leadership of the German was usually spectacular – his team rarely had problems scoring goals, but this often came at the expense of defensive stability. Real Madrid Klopp’s “rock’n’roll football” was the name of the game, the Blancos usually managed to control the planned chaos on the pitch and became Klopp’s nightmare, especially with their two final victories. It may only have been a few months since Arne Slot took over as the legendary German coach on Merseyside, but on Wednesday a new, different Liverpool will be on the pitch. Real Madrid wait than Carlo Ancelotti’s team has been used to in recent years, although not much has changed in terms of personnel.
While Klopp’s dynamic pressing strategy was all about excitement and spectacle, the philosophy of the 46-year-old Dutchman, who previously enjoyed success at Feyenoord for three years, suggests a more refined, possession-oriented style. This approach is a natural progression, combining the raw energy and belief that characterise Klopp’s style with precision and control. Slot’s methodology takes a calculated approach to build-up play – his defenders often seek contact with central midfielders and promote a methodical and calm style that is at times reminiscent of Guardiola’s passing game. Slot is all about control, structure, calm and patience in midfield – and that critical moment of making the right pass, while still maintaining the passionate intensity that is expected at Anfield. Liverpool still apply pressure, but it is a slightly more controlled, cautious approach, which makes the team look a lot more stable defensively. The team conceded eight goals in twelve Premier League matches and just one in four Champions League matches – both record figures.
Salah in top form under slot
What has not changed under the new coach is the importance of Mohamed Salah for Liverpool FC. He is still the great star striker of the Klopp era – in 18 appearances this season, the Egyptian has scored twelve goals and provided ten assists. The second figure also underlines the extent to which Salah, despite the ongoing contract poker, (“I’m more likely to leave than stay”he said at the weekend) has changed his game this season – while under Klopp he only knew the way forward and had his eye on the opponent’s goal, the 32-year-old now plays a little more as a team player and even takes part in defensive work. For comparison: in the last two seasons, Salah had 14 assists each – over the whole season. At the same time, however, he is as dangerous as ever. On Sunday, it was the fast striker who scored two goals after a 1:2 deficit in Southampton but his team the next victory The new coach is also enthusiastic: “We know that we can always rely on him when things get difficult for us”commented Slot. “After we were 1-2 down, I didn’t really feel like this was the moment we were going to score a goal.”
Salah and Liverpool welcome Real Madrid in top form and firmly anchored in first place in the Premier League. Manchester City’s fifth defeat in a row means that LFC is now eight points ahead of the English champions with 31 points. The slot team is also top of the Champions League with four wins from four games and is therefore going into the duel with the Royals with a lot of confidence. They have to win at Anfield on Wednesday from 21 p.m., where Liverpool recently won seven games in a row. It will not be easy for Real, who are under enormous pressure after two defeats in the first four games of the CL league phase and cannot afford to lose.
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