Without getting out of second gear, Liverpool eased past Lille in the Champions League. While Virgil van Dijk and Co. were unable to keep a clean sheet in a sixth successive European game, the Reds were largely in complete control.

Mohamed Salah opened the scoring and Aissa Mendi was sent off, but even when Jonathan David equalized, there was a feeling that Liverpool would find a way. Through Harvey Elliott, it did.

Barcelona's impressive late comeback at Benfica has denied Liverpool the chance to cement the top spot in the new-look group phase with a game to spare, but it will finish top by avoiding defeat against PSV next week. And already, Arne Slot's men are guaranteed to be in the top two places, which, in theory, at least should provide an easier route to the final.

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Under the new format, the top two teams in the group phase — supposedly the best two in the competition to that point, though not everyone has played the same opponents, so it isn't a perfect comparison — cannot face each other over two legs. And while Barcleona's 5-4 win stopped Liverpool from guaranteeing first position, it doesn't really matter that much.

The top two, as well as avoiding one another until the final, will play at home in the second leg of the last-16. They will also be top seeds in their half of the bracket during the knockout phase. In theory, that should offer a simpler path through, though no one quite knows yet — and a lot will depend on where other teams place.

Assuming Liverpool does get over the line and cement its place at the top of the standings — which it will do by either drawing with or beating PSV, or regardless of losing in the Netherlands if Barcelona doesn't win against Atalanta — that will be a big plus. Days after Brentford manager Thomas Frank labeled the Reds as the best team in Europe, that would be further proof of that being the case.

Likewise, Lille goalscorer David, who will be out of contract in the summer, said live on Amazon Prime post-match: "Very good team. I think they might be the best team in the world at the moment."

Beyond hearing more of those statements, though, it would also underline the growing feeling that a few days before the one-year anniversary of Jurgen Klopp announcing his shock departure in 2024, Slot's transition could not have been more seamless. Sticking with the principles of the previous regime and adding his own touches here and there, Liverpool is top of both its domestic league and the Champions League,.

Without exerting that much effort in its clash with Lille — a French outfit on a 21-match unbeaten run, no less, and one that has already beaten Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid this season — Liverpool won and sent another message. In doing so, it perfectly set up an exciting four months, where it has a league title advantage and an easier path in Europe, too.