Liverpool achieved a gratifying outcome in the ongoing 11th week of the Premier League this season. On Sunday (10/1) early morning WIB, the Reds secured a decisive victory against Aston Villa at Anfield Stadium, winning 2-0. Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah scored their two winning goals.

As a result of this victory, the Reds retained their leading position with a total of 28 points in the Premier League standings. They lead Manchester City by five points, who are in second position.
Ryan Gravenberch acknowledged his satisfaction with his team’s success, which is increasingly distancing itself from their nearest rivals. Gravenberch urged his teammates to persist in their efforts and uphold consistency until the conclusion of the season.

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“We are at the summit of the standings, five points ahead, and quite pleased with that.” “It is a favorable position,” Gravenberch stated to BBC Match of the Day.

“Our performance was exemplary.” We conceded virtually little and did not allow any significant opportunities. We performed wonderfully, secured victory, and earned three points. I am rather satisfied with that.

“As a number six, I have increased ball possession and I feel positive.” I aspire to persist and enhance my abilities.

If you had informed me prior to the season that we would occupy this position, I likely would not have accepted it as plausible. We are now progressing positively, performing effectively, and aspiring to secure victory in every match. We must persist.

Liverpool, under Arne Slot’s guidance, is currently demonstrating remarkable prowess as a team.

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Liverpool under Arne Slot cannot be underestimated. Photo: The Liverpool Offside

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have had an impressive start to 2019 in the Premier League, winning 10 and drawing 1 of their first 11 games, scoring 25 goals and conceding 9.

Now, under Arne Slot, Liverpool have won nine, drawn one and lost one of their first 11 games. They have scored 21 goals but conceded just six. Crucially, the Reds are now five points clear of Manchester City.

Against Aston Villa, if Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah had capitalised on their quick counter-attacks, Liverpool could have scored more than two goals. But instead of attacking in waves as they did under Klopp, Slot slowed the pace of the game when they were ahead by sitting deep and controlling possession.

Arne Slot knows how to energize the team. Photo: Premier League

There were times when Aston Villa came close to finding the back of the net against Liverpool . But for the most part, Liverpool controlled the game and looked the most dangerous on the counter-attack.

“It wasn’t as easy as most of our games these days. Villa maybe weren’t as aggressive as we thought, but we were patient. Overall, we controlled the game and scored from two counter-attacks. This is probably not what we expected,” Slot said after the match.

Klopp’s Liverpool often use their pace in attack to constantly suffocate their opponents. However, Slot does not have Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino in the squad, and Salah is now five years older. The Egyptian is still a powerful striker, but will not be as prolific as he was in 2019.

Salah, however, remains a creative player and has a good scoring rate. Meanwhile, Luis Diaz is also an important part of Slot’s attack. Down the line, Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, along with midfielders Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, give Liverpool control in matches.

That is the most obvious difference between Slot and Klopp. Liverpool currently control games from midfield, while Klopp prefers to press high.

There are many different ways to win the Premier League and Slot’s blueprint has given Liverpool a huge advantage early in the season. There will be tough times ahead, and the next set of fixtures will be a more realistic test of Slot’s abilities.

Salah under Slot is still a world-class striker. Photo: Premier League

Man City will be back, so will Arsenal. However, right now Slot’s Liverpool are the number 1 title candidate and the team to beat.

“A new coach should not think about how many points he can get in how many games. You need to think about changing the style of play or keeping it the same.

“To change, you need to do a lot of work on the training ground and in team meetings. The only thing I think about is how to implement the game and motivate the players to give their best effort,” Slot said after the win over Villa.