Arne Slot unhappy as Liverpool miss chance to go 10 points clear

LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot would have signed up for being eight points clear at the top of the English Premier League with 12 games left of his first season in charge, but he could not hide his frustration after a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Feb 19.

Victory would have sent his team 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, having played one game more, but his side dropped points for the second time in three games to leave the door slightly ajar.

“Not so happy to be honest. I think if you look back at the game, we created far more chances then them,” Slot told TNT Sports.

“I think we did everything we had to do to get a result over here, maybe even a win.”

It was a night of mixed emotions for Liverpool, who dominated early on and took the lead in the 29th minute, thanks to Mohamed Salah’s 24th league goal of the season.

Goals by Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins then gave Villa a half-time lead before Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected shot just past the hour levelled proceedings.

Liverpool substitute Darwin Nunez missed a sitter and the Reds had their hearts in their mouths at the death as Villa substitute Donyell Malen shaved the post with a shot.

Slot’s side had 17 goal attempts to Villa’s nine and were left to rue a lack of precision in front of goal.

“In the final minute, (Villa) could have won it,” added Slot, whose side have lost just one league game all season.

“But if you look at all our chances in a row, it’s clear that I’m not happy with the 2-2. You can understand there is one person in the dressing room who feels quite down (Nunez failing to score the third goal).

“To come here, it’s difficult because of the team they have, because of the support they have from the fans, but I think we were close to playing a very, very, very good game.”

Arsenal now have a game in hand and will get the chance to ratchet up the pressure on Liverpool at the weekend. The Gunners host West Ham United on Feb 22 and a win would cut the gap to five points ahead of Liverpool’s trip to champions Manchester City a day later.

“There’s always pressure if you play for Liverpool, that’s the same if you play for Arsenal,” the 46-year-old Dutchman added.

“We want to achieve something together this season, and we have all the ingredients for it. Still 12 games to go and the Champions League, but we’re happy where we are.”

Not all is rosy, however. One concern for the Liverpool boss was an injury to Conor Bradley, who had come off the bench to replace Alexander-Arnold.

“It happened in the sprint. You never know what it is but, if a player goes out, it’s never a good sign,” Slot said.

Meanwhile, a point does little for Villa’s hope of returning to the Champions League as they remain in ninth.

Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio were handed their first Villa starts by Unai Emery but both forwards – who arrived on loan deals from Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain respectively – failed to get on the score sheet.

“A draw I think is fair for both teams because they had also chances to score,” said the Villa boss.

“We were competing very well, but we want to beat them and try and improve and get better. They play well and are fantastic. It is another step forward. We tried to compete in our own style and they played well.

“We are conceding more goals than normal, and we have to correct it and work on it.” REUTERS, AFP