Slot outshines Alonso at Anfield as dream start continues

When Jurgen Klopp made the shock announcement in January that he would be leaving Liverpool in the summer, only one name played across the lips of the huge majority of supporters.

Xabi Alonso was the chosen one, a Champions League and FA Cup winner with Liverpool who had become Europe's hottest young coaching property by leading Bayer Leverkusen towards the Bundesliga and German Cup double in an unbeaten domestic season.

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In the background, however, Alonso had made it known he would not be one half of what seemed to be a football marriage made in heaven, choosing instead to remain in Germany rather than take the road back to Anfield.

Step forward Arne Slot, the 46-year-old quietly building a stellar reputation at Feyenoord, regarded as having the ideal personality and footballing philosophy to take on what many regarded as the impossible job of succeeding the iconic Klopp.

Liverpool's new hierarchy of sporting director Richard Hughes and chief executive Michael Edwards had full confidence in Slot, the only contender offered the job despite Manchester United-bound Ruben Amorim also being touted.

Slot was considered calm enough to deal with the inevitable heat and scrutiny of following Klopp, while his belief in pressing intensity - bolted on to a more ordered strategy - was regarded as something that would take the best of what he had inherited and add new dimensions.

And on the night when Alonso did make a return to the technical area - albeit on the left-hand side reserved for the visitors - understated Dutch head coach Slot provided further evidence of the wisdom of Liverpool's decision.

No-one will know what would have transpired had Alonso been tempted by the pull of Liverpool, but few of a red persuasion harbour any regrets or look back with sorrow as they not only sit top of the Premier League but also at the summit of the new Champions League format as the Bundesliga side were swept aside 4-0 at Anfield.

And, with victory assured, Slot's name echoed deafeningly around Anfield, the coach too engrossed on events in front of him to acknowledge Liverpool's supporters - saving that until the end of a victory built on what is becoming a familiar second-half surge.

Alonso's name swiftly followed, he also declining to wave back out of respect to the travelling Bayer Leverkusen hordes, presumably deeming it disrespectful to be interacting with opposition supporters with his side 3-0 down, matters made worse by Luis Diaz completing his hat-trick seconds later.