Champions League: Liverpool coach Slot is celebrated for 4-0 against Leverkusen

Shortly before the end of the match, Liverpool FC fans began to pay tribute to their coach Arne Slot. They sang: «Arne Slot! Na-na, na-na-na!” Jürgen Klopp created the song of praise at the end of last season at his farewell party in the sold-out Anfield stadium in the center circle by inserting Slot's name into the battle cry that was actually written for him in order to usher in the era of his successor.

Klopp sang the song until all the Liverpool sympathizers had joined in. Slot was touched by this gesture, saying it was “always special” when people called his name. For that he has to thank Klopp, who had the idea.

After almost nine years of Klopp's service, a successful takeover of the coaching job on Merseyside was considered as hopeless as singing against Liverpool fans because of the German's popularity. But Slot managed to ensure that the club did not sink into the tears of farewell pain.

With Tuesday's 4-0 win against Leverkusen in the Champions League, the Dutchman even got off to the best start of any coach who has ever taken over a Premier League club: Slot won 14 of the first 16 competitive games with his team, just that Home game against Nottingham Forest in September was lost. Liverpool leads the Premier League and is also ahead in the mammoth Champions League standings, without losing any points.

Alonso had designed a special tactic for the match – but after the break it was no longer of any use

Slot's record means that it has been forgotten in England that the club was supposedly interested in Xabi Alonso as his successor after Klopp's resignation – who, however, decided to stay in Leverkusen. Without Alonso's rejection, Slot might not be Liverpool coach now.

In view of this constellation, the BBC concluded after Tuesday's game that Slot had “overshadowed” Alonso. The defeat in Liverpool was for Alonso – alongside a 1:5 in Frankfurt in October 2022 – the worst in his professional coaching career, just as painful as the loss in the Europa League final against Atalanta Bergamo last season. The guest appearance at Anfield was particularly important for the Spaniard.

Alonso once played for Liverpool FC from 2004 to 2009. During this time he matured into a global star, winning the Champions League with the Reds in 2005 when they overcame a 3-0 deficit in the famous final in Istanbul against AC Milan and won on penalties. At that time, the midfield strategist Alonso achieved the equalizer that was hardly thought possible anymore, he scored with the follow-up shot from his missed penalty. Because Alonso gave the Reds the feeling that he belonged to them through his approachability and modesty, he has something like hero status in Liverpool.

On Tuesday, as Alonso was on his way to the stadium exit, Liverpool FC supporters tried to support the bewildered coach, applauding him and shouting his name. Alonso said he had a bitter feeling because he wasn't able to enjoy the reception due to the poor result. Leverkusen goalie Lukas Hradecky said his coach suffered from the failed return.

Alonso had designed a special tactic for the match; he played with five midfielders and no center forward. The goalscorer Victor Boniface, for example, played on the left side. Initially, the German champions were able to surprise their opponents and keep the game balanced – but Leverkusen were unable to counter Slot's adjustments during the break. Liverpool increased the number of hits, attacked earlier and put their opponents under pressure through man-marking. Liverpool's mid-attack Luis Díaz scored three goals, plus Cody Gakpo.

Like Klopp, Slot stands for attacking football and pressing – but demands more control of the game

Liverpool's style of play demonstrated the team's development under Slot, being more like an evolution than a revolution. Slot trusts Klopp's work, he relies on the same players and the same formation. Other coaches would probably have initially played the ball back out of vanity.

The Fenway Sports Group, which has managed the club since 2010, also deserves praise. With the same attention to detail as the money-conscious sports company signs its players, those responsible looked for an alternative for Klopp. They found what they were looking for in Slot, who coached Feyenoord Rotterdam last season and, like Klopp, stands for attacking football and pressing.

Nevertheless, there are differences: Slot attaches greater importance to game control than his predecessor; the 45-year-old does not exclusively practice high-speed football. Under Klopp, Liverpool used every moment to play the ball behind the opposing defense, Slot recently explained. He, on the other hand, demands a better assessment of risk and return.

His team appears more balanced and defensively compact and plays more economically. Slot thinks that the fact that the players were enthusiastic about his ideas was due to his moderate adjustments. He is already well on the way to the club being able to break away from the over-figure Klopp. Liverpool fans increasingly see him as Arne Slot – and no longer as Klopp's successor.