Liverpool are the “best team in Europe” and are “playing like Rottweilers who haven’t been fed for a long time”, according to expert Rio Ferdinand.
The Reds defeated the mighty Real Madrid last night after goals from Alexis Mac Allister and substitute Cody Gakpo made it five wins from five in Europe, to put them top of the Champions League and Premier League.
Caoimhin Kelleher made a heroic save to deny Kylian Mbappé a penalty at 1-0, while Mohamed Salah was unable to continue his successful comments this week as the Egyptian also missed a penalty.
But this was an impressive display by Slot’s men and Ferdinand said on TNT Sports: “They have laid down the gauntlet to every other team in Europe.” They look like the best team in Europe right now.
‘They are playing as a team and seem like the hungriest individuals. Not only are they getting results, they seem hungry. Looking like they haven’t been fed for a long time, the Rottweilers run around the hunting equipment in the field. “They have the composure.”
Slot had his family in attendance and celebrated a special night. “It’s always good to win a match, especially an important match like this,” said the Dutchman, who will return to the AXA Training Center this morning to prepare for a tough title fight against struggling players.
Liverpool remains leader of the Champions League and the Premier League after a good start
Rio Ferdinand called them the ‘best team in Europe’ after beating Real Madrid on Wednesday
Arne Slot (right) has brought out the best in Egyptian star Mohamed Salah (left) in recent weeks
Manchester City on Sunday. ‘It will mean more in the later stages of the tournament. It is difficult to judge how big these victories are. “If we are able to beat them in the round of 16, it will be a bigger statement.”
Slot also thanked Liverpool’s academy for penalty-kill hero Kelleher and player of the match Conor Bradley, who marked Mbappe out of the game and recorded an assist. ‘Did he help? “I didn’t know… so I was in a weird position,” Slot laughs.
“It’s good for him, his family and the academy that a player who comes forward does so well, like Caoimhin and Curtis (Jones). For three players from the academy to do so well is a great compliment and Conor did very well. Well, it doesn’t surprise me because he showed it last season.”
Jude Bellingham was another big-stage flop for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, saying: “They were just more prepared than us, which is really disappointing to say.” It’s a bad result against the best performing team in Europe.
“There’s no shame in coming here and losing, but we’re disappointed with how we performed.”
Ancelotti, whose European champions sit 24th in the new phase of the league, added: “To be totally honest, it’s a fair result, Liverpool deserved to win, they have a really good dynamic.” They are in great shape, playing with great intensity.’
About Mbappé, the seven-time European Cup winner said: “This has happened to me many times in my career, forwards without confidence.” There is a medicine… I think Mbappé is in a difficult moment. “We have to support him and give him our love, he will be fine soon.”
