Slot's Liverpool extends its perfect start
Liverpool boss Arne Slot made himself at home at Anfield as goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah secured a 2-0 victory over Brentford.
After winning by the same scoreline away at Ipswich Town last week, Slot saw his team dominate much of this encounter to keep up its perfect record to start the 2024-2025 Premier League season.
Slot waited just 13 minutes for his first home game to spark into life, Diogo Jota leading a rapid counter-attack from a Brentford corner before laying it off to Diaz, who lashed in beyond Mark Flekken to mark his 100th Reds appearance in style.
Flekken and Nathan Collins combined to keep Liverpool at bay in the second half, while Brentford, which was again without Ivan Toney, went close through Kristoffer Ajer at the other end.
However, Liverpool’s dominance finally told when Diaz turned provider for the Reds’ second, which was expertly guided home by Salah with 20 minutes remaining.
Cody Gakpo’s deflected effort struck the crossbar late on, as the Reds joined Manchester City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal on two wins from as many matches.
Slot is the first Liverpool manager to win his first two league matches in charge since Graeme Souness in April 1991.
Stretching back to last season, Liverpool has now scored in each of its past six league games, scoring 15 goals during that run.
Liverpool still has "a lot to prove", though, according to Slot.
"Again we won against Ipswich, won against Brentford. Two good teams but I am not expecting them to be in the top six in the upcoming year so still a lot to prove for us in the upcoming weeks and months," he said.
"Most importantly, we did not concede much. The only big chance we conceded was a set piece and that is always so difficult when you play Brentford.
"They can threaten in many ways but one is certainly set pieces, and we controlled that quite well apart from that one moment."
Slot also praised many of his players for returning from their holidays in fine physical condition, and he thinks that has been one of the main factors in Liverpool achieving two wins out of two so far.
"The players came back after three weeks of holiday and in most cases two weeks before the start of the games but they came back really strong physically", he said.
"Compliment to the players for how they came back and, like I have said, we haven't changed much compared to the former regime, so it is not so difficult for them to start playing again. That was a very positive thing."
Slot's biggest test as Liverpool coach comes next week, with the Reds heading to Old Trafford to face Manchester United.
Reds Argentina FIFA World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister echoed Slot's analysis after the match.
"We know there is still room for improvement," Mac Allister said.
"In the transition sometimes we need to be patient but instead we are quite direct but we are in that transition [towards that style]. Everyone is working hard to get into Arne's [Slot] ideas."
Slot's biggest test so far as Liverpool coach arrives next Sunday in the form of Manchester United at Old Trafford, and Mac Allister is aware of the enormity of the fixture for both players and supporters.
"We know against Man United it is a derby, it is very important for the club and for us. We will prepare during the week and do our best to win that game," Mac Allister added.
