Arne Slot’s Liverpool topped the Champions League group phase with a 2-1 win over Lille maintaining their unbeaten record in Europe this season

Arne Slot has led Liverpool to the top spot of the Champions League table following a 2-1 win over Lille at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah opened the scoring with his 50th European goal for the Reds. Konstantinos Tsimikas won the ball brilliantly in his own half and one Curtis Jones through ball later, Salah was through and calmly slotted past Lucas Chevalier.

Lille’s Aissa Mandi was sent off on the hour-mark after his poor challenge on Luis Diaz earned him a second booking.

Shortly after, some sloppy Liverpool defending left star striker Jonathan David with an easy goal. It was Harvey Elliott’s long range deflected shot from a corner that eased the tension inside Anfield.

And as Liverpool keep their unbeaten streak in the Champions League, Daily Star Sport look at what Slot got right against Lille…

Salah is the best even on an off day

After watching Salah’s first couple of passes, you could sense a nervousness in the Anfield crowd. They were either too heavy, or just simply missed the target. A dodgy volley only added to the edgy atmosphere.

But even on what looked to be a potential bad day for the ‘Egyptian King,’ he goes and pulls out a goal to silence any critics and liven up the crowd.

The goal was classic Salah. On the counter, the Liverpool players knew that their winger would be up the pitch ready for a long ball which Curtis Jones provided.

Allowed Curtis Jones to prove himself

This isn’t at all about Jones proving himself to Liverpool supporters, they already know how good he is.

What’s important now for the Liverpool academy product is to leave the new England manager Thomas Tuchel with no choice but to pick him in the Three Lions squad.

If Tuchel was sat at home watching the game, he would surely have been impressed. You only have to look at his pass to Salah that led to the first Liverpool goal. The awareness, calmness and control of that ball was nothing short of brilliant.

Let Nunez build momentum

It was incredibly important for Slot to start Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez tonight.

For a player who has clearly lacked confidence, it was critical that following his game-winning brace against Brentford, he be given a chance to build on it.

Even though he didn’t add to his goal tally this season, he carried himself well throughout the game. He was a constant presence at the top of the pitch and did not give the Lille defenders a chance to breath.

Didn’t underestimate Lille

You would be stupid to think that an experienced manager like Slot would think Lille was going to be an easy game.

The Ligue 1 side’s name may not have the fear factor of Real Madrid or Barcelona, but they certainly are just as scary to play against.

In fact, Lille have beaten Los Blancos in the Champions League this season along with Athletico Madrid away from home, a difficult thing to do. Even with Liverpool’s comfortable position in the table, Slot was not ready to let a single game slip away.

Remained calm in a tense situation

The chants and swinging scarves that filled the Anfield stands following Lille’s red card were silenced when David scored the equaliser. Suddenly, there were nerves in the stadium amongst both the players and supporters.

One person who didn’t seem fazed was Slot. Straight away, he subbed on Wataru Endo to impose some needed security in the midfield.

Less than 10 minutes after Lille’s equaliser, a substitute that the Dutch manager had made before the goal even happened paid off. 21-year-old Elliott had got them back in front.