Alan Shearer gives 'outstanding' verdict as Arne Slot double risk pays off for Liverpool

Shearer

Alan Shearer has praised Arne Slot's team selection decisions that led to back-to-back wins over the past week.

The Reds beat Real Madrid in the Champions League in midweek after claiming a win over Aston Villa in the Premier League last weekend.

Before that, Liverpool had lost four consecutive Premier League matches, which had seen them fall to seventh place in the table.

Victory over Villa moved the Reds up to third place ahead of the clash against Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

The trip to the Etihad Stadium will be Liverpool's final match before the November international break, the last two-week hiatus of the calendar year.

The Reds will be determined to continue their winning run with another victory in Manchester, having won 2-0 in their previous visit last season.

Liverpool's wins over Villa and Real came after the Reds were beaten 3-0 by Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup.

The defeat led to criticism for the team selected by Slot for the fourth-round tie, but Shearer has argued that the last two wins justify the decisions made by the Liverpool head coach.

Shearer told Betfair.

"It was a big call to rest players in the League Cup against Crystal Palace, but it was done because Arne Slot felt he needed to give the players a rest and needed a reaction against Aston Villa and Real Madrid,"

"He got two wins from those games, so it was justified. I'm sure they'd have liked to still be in the competition, but the main aim is the Premier League and Champions League.

"It wasn't brilliant against Aston Villa, but it was certainly an improvement and enough to take the three points which lead into the Real Madrid game.

"It was a brilliant atmosphere at Anfield on Tuesday evening. I was lucky enough to be there doing the co-commentary, and you just got the feeling straight away that Liverpool were going to be up for it.

"Within the first minute or two, their energy, aggression and pressing was really good. Without a shadow of doubt, it was Liverpool's best performance of the season.

“Every player was at it - even Florian Wirtz on the left which was a big call from Slot to leave [Cody] Gakpo out.

"There were several contenders for man of the match but for me, Conor Bradley was absolutely outstanding.

"When you consider who he was up against, he never gave Vinicius Junior a kick. Not only did he defend really well, he attacked well. Vinicius didn't have any answers - he was outstanding."

Promoted links

Amazing gift : Officially Licensed Liverpool FC Slogan Sign Football Garden Gnome - https://amzn.to/4nLjmqG