Liverpool continued their mightily impressive start to life under Arne Slot on Wednesday evening as they beat RB Leipzig 1-0 in the Champions League.
After a slow start to the encounter, the Reds turned up the heat after Darwin Nunez’s goal in the 27th minute and ultimately secured a deserved victory on the road.
Slot’s side should have been awarded a penalty before half-time and could have won more convincingly, but their defence held firm to keep a clean sheet up against a formidable Leipzig forward line.
With the help of 90min’s player ratings, here were Liverpool‘s best players in Wednesday’s victory.
Liverpool’s best player vs RB Leipzig
Ryan Gravenberch: 8/10
Martin Zubimendi? Never heard of him, mate.
Ryan Gravenberch once again showed why Liverpool’s failure to recruit the Real Sociedad midfielder could be a blessing in disguise, with Slot having transformed his compatriot Gravenberch into an exceptional holding midfielder.
The Dutchman shone bright in Liverpool’s engine room with an all-action midfield display. He misplaced just three of his 63 attempted passes, made the joint-most passes into the final third (10) of any player on the field and boasted 76 total touches – the fourth-highest of any player.
In defence, Gravenberch was rock solid, too. Only Ibrahima Konate bettered his total defensive actions, with the midfielder making seven recoveries, three interceptions and two blocks. He showed a little bit of everything at the Red Bull Arena.
Honourable mentions
Darwin Nunez: 8/10
There are plenty of honourable mentions following a mature and composed display from Liverpool, with the likes of Caoimhin Kelleher, Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister all impressing. However, the indefatigable Nunez looked back to his electric best in Leipzig.
The Uruguayan’s goal was the simplest he’ll ever score after tapping home from a yard out but it showed the striker’s instinct within him that’s been missing from view in recent months. Opening his European account for the season only spurred him on and he should have won his side a penalty with a determined run before the break.
He boasted the most touches in the opposition box of any player (8) and looked menacing in and around the final third, causing Willi Orban all manner of problems in particular. Exactly the confidence boost he needed.
Virgil van Dijk: 8/10
Get that contract sorted…and fast. This was another commanding display from Liverpool’s skipper and the kind of performance that often gets overlooked due to the Dutchman’s freakishly high standards.
While Ibrahima Konate also impressed alongside him, it was Van Dijk that offered the reassuring and calm presence required to stifle one of Europe’s most menacing front lines. Benjamin Sesko and Lois Openda both struggled to get any change out of the imposing defender.
A manager’s dream, Slot will be desperate to keep him around for the foreseeable future.
