5 talking points as Diaz and Salah give Slot victory in first Anfield game (2024)

LIVERPOOL 2-0 BRENTFORD: Arne Slot's first Anfield Premier League game went the way of the hosts as Luis Diaz and Mo Salah scored in either half for the hosts

Anfield got its first competitive taste of Arne Slot's football and Liverpool fans went home happy and chanting his name as goals from Luis Diaz and Mo Salah secured a hard-fought win over Brentford.

Slot's side took the lead in the 13th minute from a lightning quick counter-attack which ended with Diogo Jota playing in Diaz to fire home, but Brentford should have levelled when Christian Norgaard missed a free header.

The Bees played well either side of half-time, but Liverpool dialled up the intensity in the second period, and after Jota came close to doubling the lead that honour went to Salah when he finished well from a Diaz pass.

Substitute Cody Gakpo struck the bar as the Reds chased a third, but their second successive 2-0 victory keeps alive their 100 per cent start to life under Slot, ahead of a trip to fierce rivals Manchester United next weekend.

Here are the game's main talking points, as the Reds made it two wins from two.

1. Low-key welcome for Arne Slot.. to start with

From refusing the fist pumps to staying off the pitch at full-time, Slot couldn't have made it much clearer that he will be his own man in this job, and not just copy what the last guy did.

The Dutchman arrived to a low-key welcome from supporters, and there was a hint of tension in the air over just what would be witnessed on a chilly afternoon at Anfield. Heavy metal football is dead, here comes Slotball.

In the event the Reds did start well and showed some excellent passing combinations as they cut through Brentford, with the opening goal a deserved one when it arrived. Slot reacted to that calmly as well, just as he did to the fans chanting his name at the end.

2. Luis and the lighting break

There was a time under Jurgen Klopp where Liverpool could be at their most dangerous when they'd conceded a corner. You'd trust them to defend it well, and then they'd be off and running at the other end.

Comparisons to Klopp's teams aren't going to help Slot and should probably be avoided in truth, but the opening goal certainly put you in mind of the German's famed front three. Mo Salah played himself, Jota was in the Roberto Firmino role and Diaz played Sadio Mane, firing in a dead-eyed finish to open the scoring.

There has been plenty of uncertainty around the future of the Colombian, who is not one of Liverpool's biggest earners and has seen the Reds flutter their eyelashes at Anthony Gordon this summer, but he's still a valuable asset and looks like being a key player for Slot.

3. Brentford's physicality is still something special

To see Brentford in the flesh is to see the sheer size of them. Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer, Nathan Collins, Christian Norgaard, Vitaly Janelt, Mads Roerslev, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa are all gifted footballers, and they are all built like boxers too.

As the west Londoners grew into the game in the first half it was that physicality which came to the fore, as the Bees snapped into tackles and repeatedly won their battles - something Slot will doubtless be concerned about.

Brentford are superb at them, and while they might have been a little too physical for the Anfield crowd's liking at times, they showed just what a good Bees side should look like. Having lost their way somewhat last season, that will be something Thomas Frank will be delighted with.

4. Dominik Szoboszlai the action man

It was this time last year that Liverpool fans immediately began to fall in love with Dominik Szoboszlai, so quick and impressive was the Hungarian's start to life at Anfield. A tall, athletic figure, there were even some murmurs about him being a new Steven Gerrard, and his performances justified the praise.

Those displays ended up dropping off due to either injury, fatigue or both, but the signs are that he's going to be a key player for Slot, and his work-rate and desire to be involved in the action mean he's set for an eventful season.

Things don't always go to plan for him but he always willing to try and put them right, such as his 80-yard dash back to stop Mbuemo after his shot was blocked. Liverpool's midfield could still do with a few extra bodies, but the ones they've got are pretty decent.

5. Virgil van Dijk still stands tall

This was Virgil van Dijk's 100th Premier League match for Liverpool at Anfield and 82nd win. He's lost just twice.

Slot has been at pains not to focus on too many individuals during his brief time in the hotseat so far, but he made an exception for his captain at his press conference on Friday when he was gushing in his praise for his fellow Dutchman.

This was a difficult game for Liverpool for large parts, but in Van Dijk they have an assured, responsible leader who never let anything get away from them. Those contract talks haven't started yet, but the Reds must know what they're losing if this is indeed his final season at the club. It can't be allowed to be, surely?

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