No-one epitomised that hunger more than 21-year-old right-back Conor Bradley, who delivered the sort of display that suggested Liverpool may have a perfect replacement in waiting should Trent Alexander-Arnold, as has been speculated, take the road to the Bernabeu in the summer.
Bradley has excelled before but this was his best display yet given the occasion and calibre of opposition. It is to be hoped a late injury does not prove serious.
The Northern Ireland defender found himself confronted by Mbappe starting on his flank. To say he gave the great forward a tough time is an understatement.
Mbappe endured a nightmare evening, even missing a second-half penalty which would have undeservedly brought Real level – but one moment of their personal battle stands out above all others.
The forward was bearing down on the Kop with danger in the air in the 31st minute until he was halted in his tracks by a thundering, totally legal challenge from Bradley, which cleaned out the ball and Mbappe.
Liverpool’s fans rose to their feet in celebration of the tackle, Bradley’s name echoing around Anfield as Mbappe struggled to regain his dignity.
It was not the only time Bradley was praised in song, linking with Alexis Mac Allister for the goal that finally gave Liverpool what they deserved after 52 minutes. He was even a goal threat himself with a header that brought the best out of Real keeper Thibaut Courtois.
When he limped off three minutes from time, replaced by Joe Gomez, Liverpool’s fans were out of their seats once more in a standing ovation.
Alexander-Arnold will have watched in admiration from the substitutes’ bench. Liverpool would not want to lose such a stellar local talent, but Bradley’s presence suggests the blow can be softened if that comes to pass.
Liverpool can now turn their attentions to Manchester City, currently suffering a serious downturn. Slot’s team could not be in ruder health, with the head coach calmly steering them.
City have not found much joy at Anfield in the past, even in the Pep Guardiola glory era. In their current state they will not be relishing the prospect of facing this rampant side.
In nine visits to Anfield as City manager, Guardiola has only won once, a 4-1 win behind closed doors during lockdown in February 2021. He has suffered five defeats and drawn three times.
The omens are not good for Guardiola and his players, who have found Anfield an unforgiving place even at their best.
Even Slot admitted to a measure of surprise at his record so far, saying: “I didn’t have a schedule in terms of points I wanted. You want to implement the playing style as soon as possible. That is not difficult because it wasn’t that different to Jurgen’s.
“It is great that not only the starters, but the players coming on are doing as we expect. If before the start of the season I had counted points for this point in the season, I wouldn’t have counted as much we have now.”
On this growing body of evidence, City may fear they will be walking into a perfect Liverpool storm at Anfield as the Slot machine continues to find fresh gears.
