Liverpool manager Arne Slot says it is unbelievable his side lost to Nottingham Forest on Saturday when you consider the Reds’ ruthless performance against AC Milan three days later in the Champions League.
After conceding early, goals from Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai helped Liverpool kick off their Champions League campaign with a dominant 3-1 win in Milan.
Their assured performance was a fine response to their shock “honeymoon-ending” 1-0 loss at home to Forest which Slot said at the time was a “big setback”.
“Losing Saturday was a blow and to be 1-0 down early tonight, you are wondering how we react,” Slot, who was taking charge of his first European match as Liverpool manager, told Amazon Prime.
“But if you can play so good it is – I won’t say a disgrace – unbelievable you lose to Forest at home if you can play like this today.”
‘No panic’ and ‘a good night’s work’
Former Newcastle and England striker Alan Shearer, who was on commentary duties for Amazon Prime, said he was “impressed” by Liverpool’s performance.
Playing in their first Champions League match for 18 months, the visitors had a shaky start in Italy with Christian Pulisic hammering the hosts in front after three minutes.
Some Liverpool supporters may have been worrying about the start of a slump, but the Reds were soon back to their high-pressing best, catching Milan out in dangerous areas.
Mohamed Salah looked lively, hitting the bar twice in the first half, and AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan did well to twice keep out Cody Gakpo.
Konate and Van Dijk turned things around with towering first-half headers, before Szoboszlai tapped in following an electric Gakpo run.
Their goals meant Liverpool recorded their first win in Europe without Jurgen Klopp as manager since Brendan Rodgers’ side beat Besiktas 1-0 in the first leg of a Europa League last-32 tie in February 2015.
“[There was] no panic [from Liverpool],” added Shearer. “They believed in themselves and believed in their gameplan. A good night’s work.”
‘Not too many changes’ from Klopp
Liverpool were at their best when they pressed, although there were moments in the game where they sat deep, and also spells where they maintained large periods of possession.
Former Liverpool full-back Stephen Warnock warned fans will need time “to get used to” Slot’s style of play.
“Under Jurgen Klopp it was a little bit gung-ho at times, a little bit more chaotic,” Warnock told BBC Radio 5 Live.
“I think Slot wants the team to have more patience and play very much like Arsenal and Manchester City play.”
Liverpool skipper Van Dijk said there are not “too many changes” between Slot and Klopp’s football philosophies.
“We all know what Jurgen meant for the club and what he brought to the city and the Premier League,” Van Dijk told Amazon Prime.
“The new manager has his ideas but I don’t think too many changes. We all enjoy it.
“We had an amazing time with Jurgen Klopp and hopefully we can have an amazing time for Arne Slot as well.
“We need all the guys to be ready, they might be disappointed to be sub, but we need everyone to be in the best shape. We need everyone to be respectful.”
