GOOD KOP ,

Just in time (for Europe at least), Liverpool rediscover their identity and remind everyone just how deadly they can be

WELCOME back Liverpool, we thought we’d lost you for this season.

Instead, Jurgen Klopp and his men are the footballing equivalent of an adversary in a movie who simply will not die. Think Castor Troy in Face/ Off. Or The Terminator in the Arnold Schwarzenegger franchise.

Real Madrid – winners of nine of their last 11 games – will provide a significant step up in class tomorrow night from an Arsenal side currently imploding around Mikel Arteta.

Statements of intent don’t come much better, however, than a win inspired by Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave Trent Alexanderarnold, 22, out of his England squad.

In fact, the Three Lions boss ended up doing Liverpool a favour with his decision, Klopp insisting the right-back benefited hugely from a two-week rest ( from games).

“One hundred per cent,” said Klopp. “He didn’t have a lot of rest because we trained quite intensely with the boys, but I’m sure the things we did in training helped him.

“If you play three times in 10 days, there is not a lot of time for training.”

Klopp made it clear during his post-match press conference that there is absolutely no beef with Southgate over the issue.

But Alexander-arnold’s scream of triumph, as sub Diogo Jota headed in his cross for the first of the forward’s two goals, said everything.

As did a third clean sheet in as many games, after only two in Liverpool’s previous 12 in all competitions.

Rookies Ozan Kabak and Nat

Phillips might not fill you with confidence that the run will continue.

But with Fabinho majestic once more in midfield, Mo Salah scoring his 18th Premier League goal and Alexander-arnold exploding down the right, the confidence is finally coursing through the collective Reds veins again (Jota celebrates with Klopp at the end, circle above).

Arsenal were awful. Absolutely shocking. The optimism of last year’s FA Cup win is now a distant memory.

Instead, you could make the case that if Arteta doesn’t make a good start in the first 12 games of next season, he could find himself in trouble.