Arne Slott has admitted that Liverpool’s recent downturn has been “scandalous” and explained what has helped the team’s recovery. Before Saturday night’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Anfield, the Merseysiders had suffered four consecutive defeats as part of a rough period in which they had lost six of seven games in all competitions.
Liverpool started the season on a winning note, winning their first seven games of the season, but their results continued to decline. However, after achieving success against Unai Emery’s side with goals from Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenbirch, the Reds beat Real Madrid on Tuesday night to snap their winning streak at home.
Alexis Mac Allister scored the only goal of the competition midway through the second period on a night when Trent Alexander-Arnold received a markedly hostile reaction when he came on as a substitute.
After the match, Slott spoke to Ziggo Sports about the team’s recent difficulties and credited the team’s extra rest for contributing to their turnaround.
“We have lost too many games in the last few weeks, obviously for a club of our level,” he said.
“It was a difficult schedule with a lot of away games and little rest in between.
“Tonight we played against a team who also had two days off, but at our Anfield venue.
“It would be great to play a game like that and win. Tonight showed once again how important set-pieces are in modern football.”
“In the Premier League we conceded four goals, in the Champions League we conceded four goals and conceded zero.
“No, I was never worried, but when you lose a lot you always think about where you can make adjustments as a coach. But I also realize that a lot of things are going well. It was a scandal to lose so often and it was far from our level.”
After the match, Slott told Amazon Prime: “I’m very happy. It’s been (some) tricky weeks for us, with a lot of away games and very little time off in any of the games.”
“Again, we only had two days between this game, but it was the same for Real Madrid. It helps if we can play in front of the fans, and if we can also play in front of Real Madrid, because I think it brings out the best in my players and the fans.”
“It was a great performance against a team that had only lost once all season. And maybe we could have won a few more.”
