Slot in dreamland as Liverpool remain perfect with Madrid win

Arne Slot could not have predicted such a remarkable start to the Liverpool season, the Reds boss admitted after Wednesday's 2-0 win over Real Madrid.

The Reds are the only side to remain perfect in the Champions League this season, winning all five games after their victory over the defending champions at Anfield.

Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo were both on target in the second half as Liverpool triumphed in all five of their opening games of a European campaign for the first time since the 2021/22 season.

Liverpool are also eight points clear of the Premier League summit and Slot denied he has any targets but acknowledged his side are far exceeding his expectations.

“I didn't have a schedule in terms of the number of points I wanted,” Slot told TNT Sports. “You want to implement the playing style as quickly as possible.

“That's not difficult, because it wasn't that different from Jurgen's [Klopp]. It's great to see that not only the starters, but also the players coming up, are doing what we expected.

“If I had been counting points before this point in the season, I wouldn't have done as much as I did now.”

Liverpool ended a run of eight games without a win in European action against Madrid, who had won seven of those games.

UP THE RED #UCL pic.twitter.com/xF9gcTmMFe

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 27, 2024

“You know how special it is to play against a team that has won the Champions League so many times,” the Dutchman added.

“They were also a nuisance for Liverpool for years. It is an important week and that is nice to see.”

However, it could have been a different story if not for Caoimhin Kelleher saving Kylian Mbappé's penalty with the score at 1-0.

In a strange turn of events, Mohamed Salah then also missed from the spot and that was only his second failed attempt from seven penalty attempts in the competition.

“In both situations you think it will probably go in,” Slot said about the penalty misses. “Both missed, so they showed us today that they are both human beings.”

Kelleher has now saved three of the four penalties he conceded against Liverpool in all competitions excluding shoot-outs and has provided strong competition for Alisson ahead of his return from injury.

“In Mbappe's case, Kelleher was excellent,” Slot said. “He has done a remarkable job for us, as has our other goalkeeper, who has also been remarkable.”

Liverpool then turn their attention to another titanic showdown with Manchester City at Anfield on Sunday.