We need to find answers to stop Liverpool slide, says Arne Slot
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot said the 3-2 loss at Brentford on Oct 25 was arguably the worst performance in their slump.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot said opponents have identified a winning strategy against his English Premier League champions and he needs to find a solution fast after a 3-2 defeat by Brentford
Their title defence had begun well but losses at Crystal Palace, Chelsea and Brentford, as well as the previous weekend’s 2-1 home defeat by Manchester United
Slot said the loss at Brentford was arguably the worst performance in their slump, as Liverpool were deservedly beaten by a side who ruthlessly exploited their fragility.
“I’ve said this many times already that teams have a certain playing style against us, which is a very good strategy to play, and we haven’t found an answer yet,” Slot told reporters.
“Also going 1-0 down doesn’t really help as well after five minutes. But even today, when we don’t play well, we’re able to score two goals and create more chances from open play.”
Liverpool have conceded early goals in each of their four Premier League defeats and went behind at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League on Wednesday before storming back to win 5-1.
The way they conceded the first goal to Brentford after five minutes was especially frustrating for Slot, who said they had spent Oct 24 preparing for Brentford’s long throws.
They could not deal with Michael Kayode’s delivery, however, and when Kristoffer Ajer flicked the ball on Dango Ouattara reacted superbly to hook his volley past Giorgi Mamardashvili.
“They won more duels than us, they won more second balls than us and if you come here and you know if you are going to concede goals then one of them may be a set piece and a counter-attack is also one of their biggest strengths and that's how we conceded two goals,” Slot said.
Kevin Schade made it 2-0 just before the break, but Milos Kerkez’s pulled one back in first-half added time.
Igor Thiago netted his seventh goal from 10 games this season from the spot 15 minutes into the second half to restore the Bees’ two-goal advantage, before Mohamed Salah netted a consolation for the Reds in the 89th minute.
“The way we approach games we’re growing in confidence,” said Brentford boss Keith Andrews.
“We’re heading in the right direction and (to win) against the Premier League champions it’s a pretty special evening.”
Liverpool over £400 million (S$ million) in the summer transfer window on the likes of Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Kerkez and Alexander Isak but have looked a shadow of the side that won the club's record-equalling 20th league title in Slot's first season.
They have lost four of their opening nine games, as many as they did in the whole of last season.
"If you change quite a lot during the summer, then I think it's not a surprise that it can go a bit like this, but I didn't expect it to go with four losses in a row," Slot said.
"It's always a bit of a bumpy road, but four losses in a row. We've also played five of the last six games away from home which is not helpful when we are in the run of form we are."
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, impressive once again for Brentford in midfield, said he expected his old club to pull out of their slump.
“I know there's been results of late that haven't been great for them but, for me, they're still top players and a top, top team and it's a matter of time before they get in a rhythm and get going,” the England international said.
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk added: “I am sure we will get out of this, but we won’t do it just by talking about it... We will get out of this because we have the quality offensively and defensively.” REUTERS, AFP
