The cold, soulless facts will say Liverpool are now up to sixth in the group stage of the Champions League after this 1-0 win over Real Madrid. The reality, however, is that another triumph over the 15-time champions of Europe at Anfield might just have finally given lift-off to a new era under Arne Slot.

The first two-and-a-half months of this campaign have not gone exactly to the plan. After a historic summer transfer window where close to £450m was forked out and around half of that was recouped, the glossy brochure that had Slot's Premier League champions as the all-conquering unbeatables has not quite looked like that in reality.

It's been tough and even when games have been won, late goals have been needed too often and games have not been controlled in the manner that became so routine last year en route to league title No.20.

OPINION

OPINION

Six defeats in...