Arne Slot shocked by Liverpool star’s ‘strange position’ as trio of ‘Rottweilers’ celebrated after Madrid win

Arne Slot was surprised to learn Conor Bradley provided an assist for Liverpool against Real Madrid on Wednesday and singled out three Reds stars for praise after the win at Anfield.

Alexis Mac Allister gave Liverpool the lead after a one-two with Bradley missing the slot before Cody Gakpo came off the bench and secured victory with a powerful header.

Both Kylian Mbappe and Mohamed Salah missed penalties in a breathless game That means Liverpool remain at the top of the Champions League table after winning all their games, leaving Madrid in 24th place after picking up just six points from their first five games.

Slot was impressed with his team’s performance but is not overwhelmed after playing in the group stage of the competition.

“It’s always good to win a game, especially a big game like this,” said the Dutchman, who will now prepare his team for Sunday’s game against Manchester City.

“It will mean more in the later stages of the tournament. It’s hard to judge how big these gains are. If we manage to beat them in the knockout stages, it will be a bigger statement.”

Slot particularly praised the three academy graduates, who were all brilliant, including Conor Bradley, who knocked Mbappe out of the game and recorded an assist.

“He helped? I didn’t know…he was in a strange position back then,” Slot laughed.

“It’s nice for him, his family and the academy that a player coming through is doing as well as Caoimhin and Curtis (Jones). To have three academy players doing so well is a huge compliment and Conor has done very well. I’m not surprised because he showed it last season.”

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Rio Ferdinand believes the Reds have “laid down the gauntlet” after defeating the European champions, claiming Liverpool players played like Rottweilers at Anfield.

Ferdinand continued TNT Sports: “They have laid down the gauntlet to all other teams in Europe. They seem to be the best team in Europe at the moment.

“They play as a team and are the hungriest players ever.” Not only are they getting results, they look hungry too. They look like they haven’t had food in ages, Rottweilers running around the pitch hunting teams. You have the necessary composure.”

Mbappe had a particularly tough evening but Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti insists he is “an exceptional player” who is simply going through a difficult time.

“It’s a difficult moment for him, we have to support him and give him our love, he will be fine soon,” Ancelotti said.

“It could perhaps be a lack of self-confidence. Sometimes there are moments when things don’t quite work out for you. But you get through these moments. People miss penalties, it happens a lot. You can’t cause him too much grief for that.

“He works hard, he has to keep working hard and fighting. You survive these moments. Things just aren’t working out for him at the moment. We have to be patient. He is an exceptional player.”