Arne Slot, Liverpool’s manager, praised Bayer Leverkusen defender Jonathan Tah as “the best defender in Germany” during his post-match press conference following Liverpool’s commanding 4-0 victory in the Champions League.
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The clash, held on November 5 at Anfield, saw Slot’s squad continue their perfect Champions League start, with standout performances including a hat-trick from Luis Diaz and a goal from Cody Gakpo.
Liverpool’s fourth consecutive win in the tournament has solidified their place at the top of the Champions League group.
Slot’s decision to deploy Diaz in a central attacking role was directly influenced by Tah’s strength in defense. Slot admitted that Tah’s physical presence in the heart of Leverkusen’s backline played a key role in shaping Liverpool’s strategy.
“We chose to play Lucho more from the left or midfield, then surprise with runs in behind,” Slot explained. Curtis Jones’s pass to Diaz, leading to Liverpool’s first goal, exemplified the success of this approach.
Tah, who has excelled under Leverkusen’s manager Xabi Alonso, came close to signing with Bayern Munich in the recent transfer window.
With his contract set to expire at the end of this season, Tah will soon be available as a free agent, likely to attract major interest. His reputation in Germany, already significant, was further bolstered by Slot’s public praise.
In Slot’s words, Tah “maybe likes to play more against a target man… someone in the middle,” which led Liverpool to position Diaz strategically to avoid Tah’s usual strengths.
When asked about Diaz’s future role, Slot explained that it would depend on availability and opposing team lineups, particularly given Liverpool’s recent injuries to key attackers Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa.
“With this fixture list, it’s almost impossible to play them all,” Slot said, noting that player fatigue must also be factored into his choices. While typically Gakpo has played as Liverpool’s number nine and Diaz as an 11, injuries have prompted Slot to rethink his options.
Despite the reshuffled lineup, Slot emphasized Diaz’s importance to the team. “Lucho, for me, is a starter,” Slot confirmed, adding that Gakpo, too, remains central to Liverpool’s plans.
Slot also hinted at the rigorous demands on forwards like Diaz and Gakpo, who both contribute heavily to defense as well as attack.
Slot’s tactical adjustments, including the rotation of players, reflect the challenges of balancing squad depth with game intensity in both the Premier League and Champions League.
Recognizing Tah’s influence on Leverkusen’s success, Slot’s comments underscore Liverpool’s adaptability and Slot’s willingness to modify strategies, making the team formidable opponents in their Champions League pursuit.