Arne Slot picks out unsung Liverpool duo who were 'there every time' against Man Utd

If there is one thing we have learned so far about new Liverpool head coach Arne Slot , it is that he loves players who will win their duels. As Jarell Quansah found out at Ipswich Town, it isn't a good idea to lose a couple just before half-time.

The Reds boss has praised defensive duo Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate for their underrated part in Liverpool's 3-0 win at Manchester United , with the former winning seven out of his eight duels and the latter winning six out of seven. Setting the tone for the victory and shutting down the host's attacks before they could develop , the pair dominated Joshua Zirkzee.

"When we had ball possession we were hoping that we could find one of our midfielders open or free every time," Slot said on Sky Sports. "But, again, also these three played a very good game, I agree with you, but they need their center-backs to play the ball through the lines.

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"They need the center-backs to be close to them for the moments they cannot arrive, then Ibou [Konate] was there, Virgil [van Dijk] was there. Virgil every time stepped into the midfield defensively, also.

"Like I said, it was a team performance and, you know me a bit now, it is always about the team and then the individual can show himself. I think all 11 of them and the ones that came in played a very good game, but that’s not a coincidence because the team played really well."

Liverpool.com says: It is impossible to pick out a Reds player who didn't play well at Old Trafford. The center-backs were quieter than most given Manchester United's limited threat but they did what they needed to do. Others will take the limelight but that is now three clean sheets in a row for Alisson Becker and his defense. It could not have been a better start for the new Slot era.