Arne Slot addressed the media at the AXA Training Centre following Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa, looking ahead to their upcoming Premier League clash against Manchester City. Here are the key points from his press conference:
On playing after Arsenal this weekend
Slot emphasized that Liverpool’s focus remains on their own performance rather than Arsenal’s schedule. While Arsenal plays before them, he doesn’t believe it affects their approach against City. He acknowledged the challenge of playing at the Etihad and stressed the importance of concentrating on their own games rather than getting distracted by other teams’ results.
On what to expect from Manchester City
Slot praised City’s consistency under Pep Guardiola, noting that they are always a formidable team despite occasional setbacks due to injuries. He pointed to their recent performance against Newcastle as evidence of their resurgence. He acknowledged the difficulty of playing against City, given their dominance in possession, but also highlighted Liverpool’s strong form, having gone 22 games unbeaten.
On Darwin Núñez
While Slot accepts missed chances as part of the game, he was more concerned about Núñez’s reaction afterward. He felt the striker became too preoccupied with the miss, which affected his usual hard-working style. Slot emphasized the importance of resilience, using Wataru Endo as an example of a player who maintains a strong mindset and keeps pushing forward regardless of setbacks.
On learning about his players at this stage of the season
Slot noted that his squad has consistently demonstrated their ability to play at a high level every three days. He singled out Dominik Szoboszlai for his relentless work rate, particularly in the recent match. While missed chances are frustrating, he stressed that effort and commitment are non-negotiable for both him and the fans. He acknowledged the difficulty of their fixture schedule but remained optimistic, given Liverpool’s position at the top of the table.
On Ryan Gravenberch’s form
Slot admitted that it’s unrealistic to expect every player to perform at their peak in every game, especially younger players like Gravenberch. He believes the midfielder has the potential to reach that level in the future but isn’t there yet. He also pointed out that a player’s performance can vary based on the opponent’s playing style, using the contrast between Everton and Aston Villa as examples.
On Diogo Jota’s impact and goal-scoring
While Jota might be disappointed at not scoring more, Slot highlighted his crucial assist against Villa. He expressed frustration over missing Jota for several months, acknowledging how important he is to Liverpool’s attack. However, he explained the need to manage his minutes carefully to prevent re-injury, ensuring he remains available for the final stretch of the season, including the Champions League and League Cup final.
On managing Trent Alexander-Arnold’s minutes
Slot revealed that Alexander-Arnold’s playing time had been pre-planned over a five-game stretch, though adjustments may be needed due to injuries in the squad. He reassured the player about his substitution, explaining it was to protect him rather than a reflection of his performance. Slot acknowledged that from an outsider’s perspective—such as pundit Mark Lawrenson—it may have seemed like an odd decision, but he stood by the approach to keep key players fit for the remainder of the season.
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