Liverpool’s Egyptian star Salah is expected to lead the attack again. — AFP
MUCH to the delight of their faithful fans and, in equal measure, to the disdain of the rest of the English Premiership and some parts of Europe, Liverpool won again in midweek.
This immensely cohesive squad put paid to the aspirations of La Liga side Girona in the Champions League fixture in Spain, and continued with their outstanding start to the season under new manager Arne Slot.
That made it six wins from six matches in Europe for the Anfield side, yet the headline to emerge was that Slot was not entirely pleased with their performance.
The Dutchman, who has been at pains to play down their wonderful campaign so far, in which they lead both the Premier League and Champions League standings, was displeased by a few things, and for good reason.
Against Fulham today, Slot will be keen on getting the team to do it right, and he’ll have the backing of the Kop to remind those who might want to weigh in with only half a shift that they have a duty to the club and should give nothing less than all they have.
That’s the Liverpool way. That’s the way Bill Shankly and Bob Paisley taught it.
Liverpool have played some excellent football along the way, so much so that the likes of the two wealthy outfits from Manchester would be proud of themselves if they could manage just half of what the Reds have put on show.
Of course, despite all the trimmings that go with the way they play, Liverpool have won nothing yet this season, and they have been cautioned by some of their own at the club to keep that in mind each time they step out onto the field.
It is obvious Slot will demand the same mentality when Fulham arrive at Anfield today.
And again, the Dutchman will look to his talisman, Mohamed Salah, and defenders Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold – the three out-of-contract kingpins of the team – along with Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenbach, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo to put forward their case for a 12th win in 15 league matches this season.
That’s how good this team has been.
But they should not take Fulham too lightly, lest they be stung by complacency.
