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Beth Lindop
Ultimately, it needed a trio of Liverpool players to dismantle Real Madrid’s stubborn defense. The reigning Premier League champions had been striving for that crucial opening goal versus Xabi Alonso’s squad for a solid hour during their UEFA Champions League face-off at Anfield, but their efforts were consistently thwarted by the stellar goalkeeping of Thibaut Courtois for Madrid.
Just as it seemed like it might become one of those frustrating nights for Liverpool, Ryan Gravenberch secured a free kick in a highly advantageous spot near the opponent’s penalty area. Dominik Szoboszlai then delivered an irresistible cross, which Alexis Mac Allister expertly headed past Courtois, handing the home side a critical advantage at Anfield.
This single goal made all the difference, with Liverpool’s narrow 1-0 triumph propelling them into the top tier of the Champions League standings. After a challenging period where they suffered defeats in six out of seven matches across all competitions, the Reds’ victory against the LaLiga frontrunners marked their second win within a few short days, succeeding a 2-0 win against Aston Villa in their recent Premier League match.
The unifying element across both encounters? The re-emergence of last season’s championship-winning midfield comprised of Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, and Mac Allister, all of whom performed exceptionally well against both Villa and Madrid.
That this threesome orchestrated the decisive goal against Alonso’s team was particularly apt, considering that their talent and commitment have arguably played the most significant role in Liverpool’s developing resurgence. Following a substantial portion of the season where they appeared disjointed, the Reds have displayed considerably more stability with their trusted midfield core back in action, while summer acquisition Florian Wirtz, who cost £100 million, shone in a more attacking role against Madrid.
“In the central area, [Liverpool] were outstanding,” commented former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol on Tuesday’s ESPN FC broadcast. “The trio of Mac Allister, Gravenberch, and Szoboszlai were exceptional. Szoboszlai was in a class of his own during the first half, and Arne Slot, in my view, made the absolute perfect call because no one anticipated him deploying Wirtz [on the left], allowing him the freedom to roam. He positioned himself to seamlessly link everything together. It was a dream scenario for Liverpool.”
After dedicating several months to refining his starting lineup, it appears Slot has finally returned to the successful strategy of the previous season. But why has it taken the Liverpool manager so long to revisit these foundational tactics? And could this renewed emphasis on a more familiar midfield formation be the key to rescuing the Reds’ season? Did the Wirtz experiment “disrupt” Liverpool’s midfield?
In the lead-up to the win against Madrid, renowned Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger offered a blunt assessment of Liverpool’s recent struggles, attributing some of their difficulties to Slot’s eagerness to integrate high-profile newcomer Wirtz into the starting lineup.
“When Wirtz was considering his options between Bayern Munich and Liverpool, he communicated to Liverpool: ‘I’m willing to join if I play as a No. 10. I don’t want to be positioned out wide,'” Wenger disclosed to beIN Sports. “Liverpool, in order to secure his signing, agreed to those terms. They included him in the lineup and inadvertently destabilized their midfield, which consisted of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai.”
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Slot: An impressive win over an incredible Real Madrid side
Arne Slot commends Liverpool’s display, singling out Conor Bradley, after their narrow 1-0 victory over Real Madrid in the Champions League.
Perhaps this was somewhat unfair to Wirtz, whose performances thus far have generally met the expectations of a promising young talent acclimating to the intensity of a new league. Nonetheless, the 22-year-old’s substantial transfer fee has inevitably drawn considerable scrutiny, and it’s reasonable to suggest he has occasionally struggled with the physical demands of English football. Slot’s decision to exclude him from the starting lineup in two of Liverpool’s most crucial games of the season – against Chelsea and Manchester United – subtly acknowledged this, particularly evident in the 3-2 loss to Brentford the previous month.
“For a player transitioning from a different league, albeit a highly competitive one, most would agree that the Premier League presents a greater level of intensity, especially across all matches,” Slot remarked this week about the German international. “Considering this, he has already accumulated significant playing time.”
“He has made an impact in numerous games but has faced misfortune with the final product, whether through his own actions or those of his teammates. In my view, he has delivered exactly what we anticipated: a player who generates numerous opportunities for the team. Goals will come, but it’s hardly surprising that a 22- or 23-year-old adapting to a new league might require some time to adjust to the intensity, particularly with matches every three days and only brief recovery periods in between.”
However, Wirtz has not been the sole cause of Liverpool’s midfield challenges this season. Mac Allister, who rightfully earned a spot in last season’s PFA Team of the Year following a standout individual campaign, has also faced difficulties with both form and fitness in recent months. After his 2024-25 season was cut short by injury, the Argentinian international experienced a severely disrupted preseason and has often appeared to be playing catch-up, having completed a full 90 minutes only once (against Villa).
“It’s true that the season didn’t begin as I had hoped; it presented some challenges for me,” Mac Allister confessed to Prime Video Sport on Tuesday. “But now, I’m regaining my rhythm, and I simply wanted to play consecutive games. I’m grateful for the chance to play against Villa and again today, so I’m very pleased with how things are progressing.”
Gravenberch has also seen his season affected by injury, specifically an ankle problem sustained in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, which sidelined him for three matches. Furthermore, Liverpool’s defensive issues at right-back have indirectly impacted the midfield, with Szoboszlai occasionally being required to fill in for Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. While the Hungarian international has competently covered the defensive position, Liverpool has missed his energy and drive in more advanced areas of the pitch. This constant rotation of personnel in both midfield and defense has often given the impression that Slot’s team is in a state of ongoing transition. “Exceptional” Szoboszlai and Gravenberch integral to recovery
A key factor in Liverpool’s Premier League success the previous season was their stability and consistency in midfield, with the trio of Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, and Mac Allister starting in 28 of the club’s 56 games across all competitions. Against Villa and Madrid, the established understanding between the three was evident and contributed to a significantly smoother team performance, with Szoboszlai particularly showcasing his talent. Amidst all of Liverpool’s difficulties this season, the 25-year-old has been a shining example, demonstrating the impressive quality and leadership that led to his appointment as captain of his national team back in 2022.
“He always possessed remarkable footballing intelligence,” Zsolt Székely, academy director at Szoboszlai’s former club MTK Budapest, shared with ESPN in February. “His technique was extraordinary. The way he struck the ball was unprecedented for us. When he passed, his teammates consistently returned the pass to him. He always desired to have the ball at his feet.”
“He consistently stood out from his peers. I’ve never encountered a more complete player. It was always evident that he was destined for success. Football was his life. He was born to play football. He didn’t own a smartphone or use Facebook. He dedicated his entire day to playing football, whether with us or with his father. He was completely devoted to it.”
That relentless dedication to achievement has cemented Szoboszlai’s position as a regular starter for Liverpool this season. In the match against Madrid, he topped the charts for shots on target (five), passes (40), and crosses (three), and ranked second for touches (55). Slot recently praised his off-the-ball efforts in the past two games as “exceeding his usual high standards.”
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Alexander Isak back in Liverpool training ahead of Man City clash
Liverpool manager Arne Slot delivers a promising update on Alexander Isak’s fitness as they prepare for their match against Manchester City.
Gravenberch has also been among Liverpool’s most notable players this season, and his ongoing development into one of Europe’s premier holding midfielders is a testament to Slot’s managerial capabilities.
“We are devout believers, and we attribute Arne’s arrival to a divine intervention for us and for Liverpool,” stated the 23-year-old’s father, Ryan Gravenberch Sr., in an interview with ESPN last year. “He is Dutch, so he can convey his instructions to Ryan in a way that is easily understood. His communication is excellent. His primary message to Ryan has been: ‘I intend to play you, so it is your responsibility to maintain your place in the team.’ He made this abundantly clear, and it has proven beneficial for both parties.”
While it could be argued that Liverpool still need a more aggressive player in the holding midfield role, Gravenberch’s ability to advance the ball from deep positions is vital to Slot’s tactical approach. The midfielder is now contributing effectively in the attacking third, having already scored three goals this season (compared to four in his first 87 appearances for the club).
“It’s advantageous when the team develops a greater level of synergy.”
Of course, Liverpool must continue to demonstrate that they are truly back on track. The victory over Madrid sent a strong message, but its significance will diminish if Slot’s team fails to follow it up with a similarly improved performance against Manchester City. Considering how impressive his team’s display was mid-week, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Slot maintain the same starting XI at the Etihad, as Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, and Mac Allister all excelled in this fixture last season.
“I’m unsure if the focus should be solely on these three midfielders,” the Liverpool manager stated when questioned about the trio during his pre-match press conference. “It’s true that I haven’t been able to field them together as often as I’d like this season, primarily due to injuries. This has affected not only the midfield but also other positions. That’s why I’ve had to utilize Dominik in different roles. It’s advantageous when the team develops a greater level of synergy.”
That sense of unity and consistency appears to have benefitted Slot’s team in their recent matches. If his preferred midfield trio can maintain those standards against City, this week could mark a genuine turning point in Liverpool’s season.
