Darwin Nunez delivers on Arne Slot request as Liverpool gives hint before Arsenal - 5 talking points

RED BULL ARENA, LEIPZIG // Liverpool moved onto nine points in the new-look format with a . Darwin Nunez scored the only goal of the game in the first half.

While Leipzig was a threat to a certain extent, it spoke volumes that the version of Liverpool was able to keep a clean sheet and see out the result. The Bundesliga side is usually a big test for any defense, but this was one that the Reds passed — albeit with Lois Openda having two goals ruled out for offside.

Slot would have wanted the game wrapped up earlier but his team got the result in the end. Here are the five things spotted as the game unfolded.

Curtis Jones surprise

It was undoubtedly surprising that didn't start . Was this with Arsenal next weekend in mind?

"With Curtis, I think in everybody's opinion he was the best player on the pitch [vs Chelsea]," Slot . "But if you dive a bit deeper into it, you also know he has only played two games this season from the start and he didn't finish any of the two.

"For me, it was a bit too early to play him him again. And if you have as well Macca [Mac Allister], who is back from being sick, it is in my opinion, a logical choice to make."

Rotation adds up for Liverpool

With a trip to visit Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium coming up at the weekend, it was a surprise to some not to see one or two more changes to the Liverpool team. The only real shock, though, aside from the absence of Jones, was probably that was the only one rested in the backline, with coming in for him.

Luis Diaz not starting, Slot might argue, will keep him fresh for Sunday. With out injured, there were few alternatives available to . Ryan Gravenberch was always going to play and didn't need a rest given he was benched for the last match. The rotation wasn't too heavy, but it was explainable.

Darwin Nunez makes an impression

In for the injured , Liverpool needed to step up and provide a performance similar to the one that he put in against Chelsea last weekend. Scoring the opening goal from close range, it was another good showing from the Uruguayan.

Slot challenged him to combine the off-the-ball work and scoring goals before kick-off and Nunez delivered both here. He should also have won a penalty when he was brought down by Willi Orban and the VAR inexplicably failed to intervene and point out the error.

If Jota is to be out for a spell — and unfortunately, while a full diagnosis is yet to be issued, that was always a possibility this season given his injury history — Nunez will become one of the first names on the teamsheet. He will need to keep up this recent upturn.

Arsenal hint given

Mohamed Salah wasn't too pleased to be taken off just after the hour mark but the Liverpool forward will be in the starting XI on Sunday against Arsenal and that explains why. Luis Diaz came on for him, rather than , which could suggest that the Colombian will come in for the Dutchman at the weekend. Gakpo played the full 90 minutes.

With Robertson not playing from the off here, he will be back in action when the Premier League returns. Jones would be the only other player who could probably expect a recall, possibly at the expense of . Small rotations to keep everyone fresh have worked so far for Slot, so there is no reason to change that policy yet.

Trent Alexander-Arnold defends well

Are you watching Gary Neville? has always been a better defender than he is given credit for but the Liverpool man did very well here against tricky opponents in the likes of Xavi Simons.

Given that every minor misstep is spoken about at length, it is only fair to point out that this was a good performance from the Liverpool number 66. He mentioned earlier in the season about the work he is doing behind the scenes with Slot on the defensive side of his game; clearly, it is paying off.

It helps, too, that he isn't so involved in attacks these days. Alexander-Arnold was being asked to be in two places at once last season when he was popping up in midfield. Now that has stopped, he is less influential on the ball but more solid at the back.

The balance could still work its way back to making the most of his passing range again, but what is happening now — evidenced by the 11th win of the season after only 12 games — is working just fine.