Liverpool find solutions as Slot plots the return of a familiar foe

Local TV Sport

Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa felt like a step back towards clarity.  Slot knows this must be a turning point. Last season’s title defence has stalled early this time around, and Liverpool cannot afford more hesitation. But now comes the storyline that Anfield cannot escape — the return of Trent Alexander-Arnold, wearing Real Madrid white.

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00:00Liverpool's 2-0 win over Aston Villa felt like a step back towards clarity.

00:07After a bruising run of six defeats in seven, Arne Schlott finally found answers.

00:12Solidity restored as Andy Robertson's return greater control in midfield

00:16and Mohamed Salah rediscovering his spark with a goal number 250 in red.

00:21The Kop showed his gratitude too backing the Dutchman when anxiety threatened to spread.

00:27Schlott knows his must be a turning point.

00:30Last season's title defence had stalled early this time around

00:33and Liverpool cannot afford more hesitation.

00:37Tuesday's Champions League time marks his first night back since leaving his boyhood club in the summer.

00:44The manner of his departure announcing on a free before Real later paid a fee to bring him in early

00:52stirred deep frustration leading to booze on his final home cameo against Arsenal.

00:57Yet time and Liverpool's struggles have shifted perspectives.

01:02Short system has missed Alexander-Arnold everywhere.

01:04Build-up quality, midfield overloads and most glaringly the right side chemistry with Salah.

01:10Last season he played 147 line-breaking passes to the Egyptian,

01:15more than any teammate-to-teammate combination in the league.

01:19Without that threat, defences push higher, Salah receives under pressure and Liverpool's attack loses air.

01:26Conor Bradley and Jeremy Frimpong carry promise but both need rhythm and fitness

01:31to form anything close to the understanding that Trent had with Salah.

01:35Irie McIntyre wants comfortable feeling his full-back under pressure has lost that easy outlet too.

01:44The midfield box, a central two-slot style, has looked incomplete with a defender who becomes a playmaker at will.

01:51Now Trent returns with a point to prove.

01:53He left to test himself beyond Merseyside.

01:56Real Madrid have granted him that stage and Phil's reception may be mixed.

02:00Love rarely returns untouched but respect feels likely to win out.

02:06And in a game Liverpool must win to reassert their European authority.

02:10They may be reminded exactly what they've been missing.

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