JAKARTA - Arne Slot described Liverpool's 4-0 win over Galatasaray as "almost a perfect game". He praised the supporters at Anfield for creating a special atmosphere.
The Reds overturned a 0-1 deficit in the first leg of the Champions League 16-team round with a dominant performance against the Turkish Super League (Super Lig) champions. Goals from Dominik Szoboszlai, Hugo Ekitike, Ryan Gravenberch, and Mohamed Salah secured their path to the quarter-finals.
The atmosphere was noisy on Merseyside when Liverpool supporters supported the team despite booing Arne Slot and his players after a 1-1 draw against Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend.
"From the beginning to the end, I think we played the game I expected, which the players expected and which I expected."
"Not only did we play a perfect game from start to finish, but our supporters did too. From the start they didn't accept what we thought would happen."
"What's happening is they're creating a situation where the energy will run out of the stadium by ensuring there's not a lot of playing time."
"Our supporters reacted very well to that and our players continued to fight. There is a great dynamic between the supporters and the players. Almost a perfect game from us and of course from our supporters," said Arne Slot.
Arne Slot also praised Salah, who bounced back after missing a penalty in the first half to score his 50th in the Champions League. He became the first African player to achieve the feat.
"It shows a lot about him. After you miss a penalty just before half-time, it can sometimes be difficult for an individual or a team. So, credit to the team for how we performed in the second half."
"Because we have had a lot of setbacks this season, a lot of first halves or second halves where we create chance after chance without delivering the result that our performance deserves, so not scoring goals."
"Then Mo and the team performed in the second half like they did. So, he gave an assist to Hugo, a great assist."
"Then he scored the typical goal that he has scored many times in this stadium and for this club, piercing into, finding the corner of the goal."
"So, it tells a lot about his mental strength, also about the team, because the difficulties are something we can definitely talk about this season," said the Dutch coach.
Salah was replaced by Cody Gakpo in the 74th minute, receiving a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd.
"In terms of injury, he is out not because he has scored enough goals, but because he feels something. So, let's see how he is for the weekend and after," said the coach again.
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