🔗 Share this article After Stifling Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, Rejuvenated Liverpool Target Haaland Liverpool's manager requested a repeat of the team's showing versus Real Madrid as the Premier League champions visit Manchester City this weekend. In place of Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior in midweek, read Erling Haaland on Sunday. Neutralizing one more of the world's best attackers, while keeping a third shutout in a row, could strengthen the manager's declaration that Liverpool are still in contention for the biggest prizes. Perfect Remedy for Recent Woes Their European win over Xabi Alonso’s La Liga pace-setters, who had 13 victories from 14 matches before their arrival at Anfield, was an ideal solution for a Liverpool team looking to heal the wounds of a difficult spell of his tenure. It was also excellent groundwork for the challenge ahead at the Etihad Stadium: a rival that prefers to attack, that will not sit in a low block and carries an clear and dangerous attacking prowess. “It will be similar a little bit,” stated Virgil van Dijk, who dominated Haaland at Anfield last season. “We're up against a high-flying side like today and a striker, like today, who was in form. When that happens you have to be spot-on and I think we showed we were good as a team defensively.” Reasons for Success Slot’s list for the successful performance against Madrid as well as Villa last weekend – were consistent with his analysis of why things went wrong during a run of six losses in seven games. Additional rest, not conceding first, and better conditioning of players such as Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley following disrupted preparations were cited. This supported his previous arguments and choice to sacrifice the Carabao Cup by fielding a weakened squad against Crystal Palace. The comeback of the familiar midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch boosted the defense to Liverpool’s backline. The overdue return at left-back of Andy Robertson, who has started the last three victories, restored calmness and authority to a back four. Florian Wirtz impressed again in the Champions League but not in the No 10 role he usually plays in the Premier League. Szoboszlai’s Influence Once more, Szoboszlai served as Liverpool’s engine in the centre. The Hungary captain is excelling currently and has cemented his place as a key figure in the team. “Dom is consistently reliable,” said Van Dijk. “He is very important. The work rate he brings on the pitch is incredible, the quality that he has is exceptional and he is learning each and every game.” Next Challenge The midfielder started in attack alongside Curtis Jones and found the net at the Etihad last season as Slot caught City cold by switching to a alternative formation. Victory on that February day took Liverpool 11 points clear at the top with 11 games to play. This weekend they will be chasing the leaders but, as the manager emphasized after beating Real, there is a long way to go for Liverpool to stage a recovery.