Arne Slot has outlined Liverpool’s focus and challenges forward of their New 12 months’s Day Premier League assembly with Leeds United at Anfield, because the Reds purpose to stretch their sturdy current kind. Liverpool go into the competition on the again of 4 consecutive wins and 7 video games unbeaten, with confidence rising across the squad.
The importance of the fixture and Liverpool’s momentum heading into it have been highlighted by SoftFootball in the build-up to the match. That optimistic feeling has additionally been echoed inside the dressing room.
Talking after the current 2-1 win over Wolves, Conor Bradley pointed to Liverpool rediscovering rhythm whereas acknowledging there may be nonetheless room for enchancment, a theme that aligns carefully with Slot’s message forward of Leeds that was shared on the membership’s official X account.
Slot started by addressing Florian Wirtz’s adaptation to life in England, explaining that settling off the pitch typically goes hand in hand with performances on it. Drawing from his personal expertise overseas, Slot defined how a brand new nation and league may be demanding, particularly given the Premier League’s depth.
He confused that Wirtz’s substitutions have been about bodily calls for slightly than kind, saying:
I didn’t take Florian out as a result of he performed unhealthy, I took him out as a result of he was hardly capable of carry on operating anymore. That has additionally been the scenario with him but in addition that tells you in regards to the new gamers that we’ve introduced in and the way huge of a step it’s to regulate to those depth ranges.
On Curtis Jones, Slot highlighted the midfielder’s rising accountability and reliability. He defined that Jones’ want to at all times be concerned is often a energy, particularly when mixed together with his improved health. Slot praised his capability to deal with stress, pointing to moments towards Wolves, whereas additionally noting how accidents elsewhere make Jones’ availability much more beneficial.
He stated:
I feel the primary and most optimistic factor for him is that he’s capable of keep match for 4 or 5 video games in a row now and he’s performed certainly 90 minutes each single time.
Slot additionally mirrored on how conceded objectives have shifted momentum in current matches. He defined that Liverpool’s performances towards Tottenham and Wolves have been largely sturdy till these moments, reinforcing how decisive objectives may be in soccer.
He stated:
Objectives have a large impression on the momentum of a recreation and that’s what’s been proven within the final two video games of ours for positive.
When discussing recreation administration, Slot pointed to restricted substitution choices, referencing how gamers like Wataru Endo have been beforehand used to shut video games out. He confused how accidents have lowered these choices, making present outcomes much more spectacular.
Trying forward, Slot is assured Liverpool’s summer time signings will proceed to enhance as understanding grows, whereas full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are nonetheless bedding into his system.
Lastly, reflecting on the chaotic 3-3 draw at Elland Street, Slot admitted Leeds prompted extra issues when switching to a again 4, saying he’ll research that section carefully forward of one other demanding take a look at at Anfield.
