Liverpool have enjoyed a wonderful start to the season, topping both the Premier League table and the Champions League standings.
Fans would’ve been forgiven for thinking Jurgen Klopp’s departure would lead to a season or two of transition as players get used to a new manager.
However, Arne Slot has hit the ground running at Liverpool, who will now be among the favourites to win both the Premier League title and the Champions League.
The Reds are already eight points clear at the top of the English top-flight table, and they’ve got a 100 per cent record in the Champions League.
Gareth Bale, speaking ahead of Liverpool’s encounter with Real Madrid, shared what he thought of Liverpool and why they’ve done so well.
(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Cody Gakpo of Liverpool scoring the second goal making the score 2-0 during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 ...
Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Gareth Bale says Liverpool players have been eager to impress Arne Slot
Bale, speaking to TNT Sports, believes Liverpool’s players have been especially eager to impress the new manager, which has led to such impressive form.
“How they’ve kind of just gone on… normally with a manager coming in, it’s because they’ve been sacked,” said the former Bernabeu star.
“He’s taken on a good team and I think when players have a new manager you want to impress as well. It’s been a case of that, where they really want to impress.”
Bale then name-checked Curtis Jones as one of the young Liverpool players who’s been eager to make a good impression and win Slot over.
“There’s been youngsters like Curtis Jones that want to impress, get in the team and stay in the team and I think it’s only worked positively,” said Bale.
Liverpool ran out 2-0 winners over Real Madrid thanks to goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo.
The likes of Conor Bradley and Caoimhin Kelleher also impressed. Bradley was lauded by Liverpool fans, while Steve McManaman called Kelleher an “absolute superstar”.
How Curtis Jones got on for Liverpool v Real Madrid
Jones was superb against Los Blancos, with media outlets singing his praises after the game at Anfield.
The Liverpool Echo gave Jones a 9 out of 10 rating and wrote: ‘Ability to keep hold of the ball so useful in this competition and a danger when drifting into the box.
‘Came into his own second half by leaving much-vaunted opposing midfielders in his wake. Brilliant.’
Meanwhile, Liverpool.com gave Jones 8 out of 10 and wrote: ‘Got into a couple of good positions where he perhaps could have done more.
‘Tidy in possession, though, and a really reliable option against a technical midfield that includes Luka Modric.
‘He grew into the game more and more when Liverpool was searching for the first goal and then the clincher.’
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