Liverpool boss Arne Slot passes ultimate Jurgen Klopp test in Champions League win over Bayer Leverkusen

Slot's managerial and playing career had been limited to Dutch football and he was succeeding one of the greatest managers in Liverpool's history.

Klopp announced his plans to leave the club at the start of the year and there were originally strong calls from the Liverpool fanbase to chase Alonso as their next manager.

While the Spaniard had even less experience as a manager, he was in the midst of a historic season with Bayer Leverkusen.

Those calls grew even stronger as Leverkusen closed in on the title before Alonso announced he would be staying with the club for at least one more year.

A few months later and Alonso won Leverkusen their first-ever Bundesliga title, going unbeaten all season.

Some Liverpool fans were left dejected by Alonso's snub and Slots's appointment initially failed to win them over.

It even led to many writing off Liverpool's chances this season as they felt Slot would need time to get his own ideas across.

But the 46-year-old has proven his critics wrong in spectacular fashion by leading Liverpool to the top of the Premier League after 10 games.

And that momentum has carried over into Europe with Liverpool maintaining a 100 per cent record in their opening three games.

Alonso's Leverkusen were being tipped as strong candidates to break Slot's impressive run.

But they were no match for a well-drilled Liverpool side in full flow with Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo scoring to give them all three points.

Not only did Liverpool look menacing every chance going forward, they looked impenetrable at the back even without Alisson in goal.

Caoimhin Kelleher has proven to be a top quality understudy to Alisson throughout his career while Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are quickly establishing themselves as one of the best centre-back duos in world football.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has also shown improvements defensively under Slot while the Dutchman has managed to get the most out of his array of midfield options.

Ahead of the game, all the focus was on Alonso's return to Anfield and how it could have been very different had Liverpool fans got their wish a few months ago.

But it was Slot who stole the show once again with another masterclass from Liverpool to move top of the Champions League table.

Those same fans who were doubting Slot just a few months ago will now be dreaming of a major trophy this season.

It was Klopp who gave a ringing endorsement of Slot's appointment on his Anfield farewell five months ago.

There had seemingly been a reluctance from Liverpool fans to sing the Slot chant first sung by Klopp.

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However, Slot's name echoed around Anfield as Liverpool comfortably beat Leverkusen 4-0.

Slot will continue to insist there is a long way to go before any idea of winning the Premier League or Champions League becomes a reality.

But that ringing endorsement from the Liverpool fans will be music to his ears and there doesn't appear to be anybody capable of stopping them at this moment in time.