Liverpool’s Performance Under Arne Slot
Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, has urged his squad to elevate their performance standards even as they maintain an undefeated streak this season, sitting atop the Premier League after four consecutive wins. The team also celebrated a thrilling 3-2 Champions League win against Atlético Madrid earlier this week. Despite the strong record, Slot expressed concerns about their tendency to concede leads, having let go of a 2-0 advantage three times already.
Concerns About Defensive Vulnerability
In a press conference held on Friday, he remarked,
“We’ve only played five matches, which makes it challenging to identify a long-term trend. In our match against Bournemouth, we were too vulnerable at the back, particularly missing Ryan Gravenberch, which led to their two counterattacks finding the net. Although Atlético didn’t exploit transitions as effectively, we must recognize that it’s troubling to give up a two-goal lead consistently. We definitely need improvement in several areas, but there’s a silver lining: we can respond well when the situation demands it, enabling us to snatch late goals.”
Focus on Sustainability
Slot also highlighted the importance of sustainability over the season, acknowledging that relying on last-gasp efforts could jeopardize their physical and mental endurance.
“It’s not wise to constantly be in a position where we grind to the end of games. However, if necessary, I believe we have the capacity to push through.”
Upcoming Matches and Player Fitness
Liverpool will return to league play on Saturday, preparing for the Merseyside derby with Everton at Anfield. With Curtis Jones back to full training, Slot boasts an entirely healthy roster, though he has not confirmed striker Alexander Isak‘s start following his debut against Atlético.
“Alex did feel the strain after playing 60 minutes, so we’ll evaluate how he’s recovered before finalizing the lineup,”
he stated.
Strategic Considerations for the Squad
When asked about the possibility of pairing Isak with fellow new arrival Hugo Ekitike upfront, Slot mused,
“I am considering the option of having both play together, depending on their performances. It is clearer that we favor a 4-3-3 formation, with three midfielders, but we often finish matches with two strikers on the pitch. Hugo offers a different attacking dynamic on the left, compared to Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha.”
The versatility of our squad is a great asset, but for that flexibility to shine, we need everyone to be fit. Now that we presumably have all options available, I can choose from 21 players, which is a good position to be in.
