When the coach and the recruiters set out their plans for an expensive summer revamp, the blueprint was obvious. Slot has a contrasting style to Enrique, but in adding the pace of Alexander Isak, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong, especially, he wanted more of what PSG possess.
In Florian Wirtz, Liverpool also added the No 7 who they hope will bring their seventh European Cup.
It is a search for a killer instinct, assembling a side who will create and finish more chances when dominating possession as they tend to in the Premier League, while having the weaponry to expose the elite European teams on the counter-attack, which will be required in the Champions League knockout phase. In theory, Wirtz should find more space against more adventurous European opponents, although Atletico Madrid, who are first up at Anfield, are renowned for their pragmatism.
The road to Budapest’s Puskas Arena next May is long and hazardous, and the wounds of a near-flawless league phase ending in such early disappointment guarantee that while Liverpool are prepared for a successful campaign, they know that any lingering weakness will be exposed by Europe’s best.
It is a reflection of the standards set at Anfield that one of the biggest takeaways of last season concerns the perils of winning the group phase. Be good, but not too good before Christmas might be the strangest of conclusions.
For Slot, another impressive Champions League start would naturally be welcome, but a big finish is the clear objective this time.