🔗 Share this article After Stifling Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior, Revived Liverpool Focus On Haaland Arne Slot demanded another performance like the team's showing versus Real Madrid when the Premier League champions travel to Manchester City on Sunday. For Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior in midweek, read Erling Haaland on Sunday. Shutting down another of the world's best attackers, while keeping a third clean sheet in a row, would reinforce Slot's declaration that Liverpool remain in the chase for the biggest prizes. Perfect Remedy for Poor Form Their European win over the Spanish side's La Liga pace-setters, who had 13 wins from 14 matches prior to coming at Anfield, was an ideal solution for a Liverpool team aiming to recover from the wounds of a difficult spell of his tenure. Additionally, it served as excellent groundwork for the challenge ahead at the Etihad Stadium: an opponent that prefers to attack, which doesn't defend in a low block and poses an clear and dangerous attacking prowess. “It will be similar a little bit,” said Virgil van Dijk, who mastered Haaland at Anfield the previous campaign. “We are facing a very in-form team like today and a striker, like today, who was on fire. When that happens you have to be spot-on and I think we showed we were good as a team defensively.” Key Factors Slot’s list for why things went right against Madrid as well as Villa on Saturday – were consistent with his explanations for why things went wrong during a run of six losses in seven games. More recovery time, not conceding first, and better conditioning of players such as Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley after injury-hit pre-seasons were cited. They backed up his earlier points and choice to prioritize less the Carabao Cup by using rotated players 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 welcome reappearance at full-back of Andy Robertson, who has started the last three victories, brought composure and authority to a defence. The German playmaker impressed again in the Champions League but not in the No 10 role he usually plays in the Premier League. Dominant Display Szoboszlai was again Liverpool’s engine in the midfield. His national team skipper is excelling currently and has cemented his place as a key figure in Slot’s side. “What you see is what you get from Dom,” commented Van Dijk. “His role is crucial. The work rate he brings on the pitch is remarkable, the skill that he has is outstanding and he is learning each and every game.” Looking Ahead Szoboszlai started in attack alongside Curtis Jones and scored at the Etihad last season as Slot caught City cold by switching to a alternative formation. Victory on that February day put Liverpool well ahead at the top with 11 games to play. On Sunday they will be playing catch-up but, as the manager emphasized after beating Real, there is plenty of road left for Liverpool to mount a comeback.