Liverpool extended its perfect Champions League record on Tuesday night, beating Lille 2-1 at Anfield to move within touching distance of topping the league phase. Mohamed Salah was on the score-sheet once again, and Arne Slot was left struggling to find the words for his talisman.

In the end, it was a deflected Harvey Elliott effort that settled the contest, with 10-man Lille having pegged back Salah's opening goal. But the Egyptian's strike made it three goals and four assists from seven Champions League outings this season, as he continues to spearhead Slot's successful debut campaign on multiple fronts.

And it was another lovely goal. Turning the ball over, Liverpool quickly moved it behind Lille's high line, with an incisive Curtis Jones pass opening the pitch up; Salah then used his pace and strength to shut his pursuer out of the equation entirely, before finishing coolly beyond the highly-rated Lucas Chevalier.

Speaking after the match, Slot dubbed Salah "special", but admitted there might be even better words to describe him. The number 11 has certainly ingratiated himself to the new head coach, with a staggering 22 goals and 17 assists across 31 appearances in all competitions so far.

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"Special, that is the word to describe Mo’s performance at this club," Slot said. "The best or maybe there are even better words to use, but he has been outstanding at this club for so many years, so still he is. Today it was a great goal. When Mo goes on a one-v-one there is a serious chance he will score."

However, Slot also drew attention to Salah's teammates. For all the 32-year-old's brilliance, it has not been a one-man show so far this season, and the same was true against Lille.

"This goal tells you so much about why we are top of the league and why we are doing so well," Slot explained. "The work rate of the players who won the ball back before Curtis passes to Mo tells you why we are doing really well."

Like Jurgen Klopp before him, Slot demands a massive collective effort out of possession. It might not look so obviously intense, but effective and targeted pressing is a prerequisite for a place in the side, with Elliott admitting this has held back his minutes under the Dutchman so far:

"We have players in the team who are unbelievable at it," Elliott acknowledged. "Dom, Curtis, people like that, are constantly pressing and running around.

"It's something I can do but I need to get into the rhythm of doing it and making it effective, not just doing it for the sake of it. I need to improve on it and I'll work as hard as I can on it.”

But all the hard graft in the world is only worth it if someone can apply the finishing touch. Elliott bagged one himself last night, but Salah has been the go-to man in the Slot era — and for most of the last seven-and-a-half years.

Liverpool.com says: Slot's only been here half a year and is already running out of superlatives for Salah! And in fairness, that's understandable, given that he might just be having the best campaign of his Liverpool career.

But the coach is certainly right to highlight the collective as well. That goal wouldn't have happened without excellent work against the ball, which has been another key theme of the season.

The settled midfield trio of Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai has been exceptional. Swapping in for the Argentine, Jones looked equally at home against Lille, producing the wonderful pass to Salah — although there will be concerns about his withdrawal through injury.

Between the brilliance of Salah and the more understated excellence of the supporting cast, Liverpool has put itself in a great position. The task now is turning the plaudits into trophies.