Opinion: Arne Slot will be delighted at thriving Liverpool partnership in Real Madrid Champions League win

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Liverpool recorded a huge win in the Champions League after beating Real Madrid 1-0 at Anfield on Tuesday night – and Arne Slot will be delighted at one thriving partnership on the night.Liverpool were on top of their Spanish counterparts in the first half and pushed excessively for a second, where they eventually broke the deadlock thanks to Alexis Mac Allister’s header on the hour mark.The Champions League win has stopped the rot of their awful run of form, which was overturned somewhat after a 2-0 win over Aston Villa in the Premier League on Saturday.And finally, after months of trying, Arne Slot will be happy that Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz looked to link up well with Wirtz especially struggling on the English scene.Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesFlorian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike finally looked to have linked well for LiverpoolAlthough they weren’t directly involved in any goals, Wirtz and Ekitike did seem to form a solid partnership.They combined in the Community Shield tie against Crystal Palace on their first competitive game together at Wembley for Ekitike’s goal, but Wirtz has only recorded two assists since, both coming in the Champions League win over Frankfurt two weeks.However, with Wirtz lining up on the left-hand side over Cody Gakpo, the onus was on him to create real havoc for Real Madrid.That he did. Per Sofascore, Wirtz created a big chance, was accurate with 31 of his 35 passes by the time Ekitike came off on 79 minutes, including 20 from 25 in Real’s half.Although he didn’t shoot, he had two successful dribbles from two, and that link-up with Ekitike gave them the platform to shine.Ekitike managed three shots and also completed 12 passes from 14 in the Real Madrid half.A goal wasn’t on the cards, but it was a solid partnership forming against one of the best teams in the world.Photo by Christian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty ImagesLiverpool will need Ekitike and Wirtz to thrive with Alexander Isak being in and out of the teamAlexander Isak was Liverpool’s record signing after his summer move, but he’s not had the start that he would have envisaged at Anfield.Isak has been littered with injuries, and after the Swedish star refused to play for Newcastle in pre-season, he’s not at the match fitness required to make a dent in their campaign.Ekitike has since flourished and really become Liverpool’s first-choice striker, though he’s not had great service.PlayerMinutes played for LiverpoolGoal contributionsHugo Ekitike9467Alexander Isak4292If Wirtz and Ekitike’s performance against Real Madrid can be translated into the Premier League, they could give weaker defences a real tough task.And Arne Slot’s men could end up properly challenging Arsenal for the Premier League title if they can kick on from here.