Arne Slot sends Luis Diaz message as Liverpool boss reflects on stunning start to new era

Liverpool manager Arne Slot admits he did not imagine making such a stunning start to life at the club.

The Dutchman has overseen a remarkable 14 wins from his opening 16 games and saw his side go top of the new-look Champions League table with Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Luis Diaz scored a hat-trick and Cody Gakpo also got on the scoresheet at Anfield on another fine European night on Merseyside, condemning the returning Xabi Alonso to a heavy defeat.

Saturday’s comeback win over Brighton also sent the Reds top of the Premier League and Slot admitted he did not see such a quick start coming when stepping into the sizeable shoes left by former manager, Jurgen Klopp.

Asked if he could have imagined how well Liverpool would be doing now when he joined the club he said: "No. You don't look ahead as a manager you don't look ahead two or three months in advance. You only look at the next opponent.”

"And now it's Aston Villa on Saturday, which is, again, a team that does really well in Europe and in the league, another tough game."

Slot hailed Diaz’s performance too, with the Colombian international taking his goal tally up to nine goals in 15 appearances across all competitions.

"I hear the fans sing his name often. And his manager likes him a lot. I don't love him but I like him a lot,” he said.