Slot downplays the obvious: Liverpool are Europe's best

If Jurgen Klopp turned mantras into catchphrases and viceversa, Arne Slot has a less memorable way with words. Klopp talked of mentality monsters, of turning doubters into believers, of their identity being intensity, of Liverpool 2.0.

- RICHARD JOLLY

Slot talks about not getting carried away. A lot. Which, in part, is because his start, of 18 wins in 21 games, could give supporters and his squad alike licence to do just that.

In his attempt to downplay everything, Slot often mentions that his players are accustomed to being top of the Premier League. Perhaps it suits him, too, that a lead has been trimmed from nine points to seven and then, without Liverpool playing, to four. Yet they are not accustomed to being top of the Champions League; not like this, anyway. A core of them have won the competition, in 2019. Some have won a group. But not a 36-team group, not one that contains everyone.

So far, Liverpool have beaten the European superpower in Real Madrid, historic giants in AC Milan, and last season’s Bundesliga invincibles Bayer Leverkusen. They have the only 100 per cent record, with a lone goal conceded. They would seem to have broken the back of their group. And their current berth at the top of the standings can give a greater weight to European exploits than in previous autumns.