Arne Slot has given game away ahead of Man City after bizarre Liverpool calls

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Arne Slot has negotiated two major hurdles this week for Liverpool with another to come at Manchester City in the Premier League on SundayFunny how a positive result can change the outlook of more than just the league table. Just ask Arne Slot.During much of Liverpool's dismal recent run, Slot's willingness to at least engage in some tactical discussion with the media prompted many to dismiss the explanations of the Reds boss as excuses for another disappointing result.Yet when the Dutchman offered up the same basic analysis of Liverpool's Champions League dismantling of Real Madrid on Tuesday evening - referring to the combination of a low block and high press - his comments were being held up as explaining the blueprint of how victory was achieved.READ MORE: Liverpool players caught up in major protest as statement released calling for sackREAD MORE: Arne Slot ponders surprise Florian Wirtz move as Alexander Isak Liverpool update expectedTwas always thus.

There was even another reference to one of Slot's favourite tropes, the importance of a positive set-piece balance that against the likes of Crystal Palace, Manchester United and Brentford was very much in the negative for his side, resulting in three costly defeats.Again, what were seen just a week ago as attempts to deflect from a poor performance were now being pinpointed as to why Liverpool have turned a corner.That may be pushing matters somewhat given the sheer "scandalous" - as Slot himself called it - run of results that saw the Reds realistically drop out of immediate title contention and too easily surrender interest in the League Cup.It will take more than just a handful of home wins, no matter how strong the opposition, for the Liverpool boss to acknowledge his team are emphatically back on the right track.The last few days, though, have offered both much-needed respite for the present and hope for the future, as well as silencing the frankly bizarre calls from some forgetful folk for Slot to be sacked barely six months after guiding Liverpool to a record-equalling 20th championship in his first season after replacing Jurgen Klopp.Speaking ahead of Saturday's 2-0 Premier League win over Aston Villa, Ruud Gullit nevertheless painted the challenge that continues to face his compatriot."He has to earn his money now," said Gullit, speaking exclusively to the ECHO through videogamer.com. Becoming only the second team to stop Real Madrid this season - let alone beat the European Super League advocates - will at least have made the remainder of Liverpool's Champions League opponents sit up and take note.Curious, too, that the Reds also remain the only team to beat runaway Premier League leaders Arsenal this term, further evidence of the undoubted quality at Slot's disposal.The task, of course, has been consistently unlocking that potential.

It has helped that the approach of the last two opponents hasn't sought to expose the weakness in defending set-pieces and dealing with a direct approach and picking up second balls that had caused Liverpool such problems during the previous six weeks.But it is notable Slot chose to revert to his tried-and-trusted this week, with last season's midfield starting both games.Despite the near-£450million summer transfer splurge, opportunities for new signings were limited against Aston Villa to only those necessary, with Giorgi Mamardashvili continuing to replace the hamstrung Alisson Becker in goal and Hugo Ekitike the main striker.Against Real Madrid, £116m attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz was also handed a start, albeit on the left flank where he may find a better chance of regular minutes in the immediate future given the outstanding form of Dominik Szoboszlai this season in the engine room.While the absences of Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak have been through injury, both they and left-back Milos Kerkez will perhaps have learned much over the past week seeing up close exactly how a properly-purring Slot side can operate.Of course, all three have experienced that when in opposition. But it's different when the concentration is on how best to integrate and look to improve what is on display.The triumvirate of tough tests concludes on Sunday with a trip to a Manchester City side who, after a major wobble at the start of the season, now stand second in the table ahead of Liverpool and have six wins home wins a row after Wednesday's 4-1 Champions League thumping of Borussia Dortmund.The Reds did the double over City last season with Slot outsmarting Pep Guardiola by employing a 4-2-2-2 formation - first seen in the League Cup win at Brighton earlier in the campaign - to earn a 2-0 win at the Etihad on a pivotal weekend in the title race.Avoid defeat on Sunday and the Liverpool boss may be invited to give reasons for the result.