Arne Slot wants Liverpool to focus on consistency after 2 wins
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot will be hoping to build on his team's 1-0 Champions League win over Real Madrid.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Clashes between Manchester City and Liverpool have often been regarded as key battles in Premier League title races in recent seasons, but Nov 9’s encounter may merely point to which of the two clubs is best equipped to try to chase Arsenal.
By the time the weekend’s big game kicks off at the Etihad Stadium, Arsenal, who visit Sunderland on Nov 8, could be 10 points clear of champions Liverpool and nine ahead of Pep Guardiola’s City.
That likely scenario would increase the pressure on City and Liverpool, who head into the last round of fixtures before another international stoppage second and third respectively.
While it is still early in the season, a beefed-up Arsenal squad looks well-equipped to protect top spot, having conceded only three goals in 10 league games and none in the last four.
City manager Guardiola and his Liverpool counterpart Arne Slot will be only too aware of the relentless efficiency Arsenal have displayed this season and will know that defeat would leave them with a mountain to climb.
Slot, though, insisted on Nov 7 that he cares only about his team.
“I only focus on ourselves. Our main focus is on consistency at the moment,” he said.
“We have lost a few games, much more than we usually do. Now we have won two. We are focused on improving and getting players fit and we’ll see where that leads to.
“There’s still a lot of work to be done for the players to get a performance like that (Champions League win over Real Madrid in midweek).
“We can expect from City a style we usually see but the challenge is they are very, very good at it.
“We were very consistent, but we were consistently losing! That wasn’t the idea. The idea is to do things consistently right.
“Playing City there away from home is one of the most difficult challenges you have in a season. Very interesting game to look forward to.”
At least there are signs that both clubs are finding form.
City have lost only once in their last 13 games in all competitions and on Nov 5 pummelled Borussia Dortmund 4-1
Liverpool have also emerged from a run of six defeats in seven matches in all competitions to beat Aston Villa
Slot has steadied the ship at Anfield, reverting to a tried-and-trusted defence after a run of four Premier League defeats that threatened to derail the Reds’ campaign.
His backline for the past two matches has been Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson – all of whom were at the club last season.
It is too soon to say if the champions have turned a corner but consecutive wins and clean sheets against Villa, 2-0 in the Premier League, and Real 1-0
The Reds will face a challenge of a different magnitude when they come up against Haaland, who has already scored an astounding 27 goals in 17 matches for club and country this season.
The Norway forward has scored twice in each of his past four home league games. Two more on Nov 9 would take him to a century of Premier League goals in record time.
City lost home and away to Liverpool last season as they were dethroned as champions, and Guardiola admitted he was surprised at their stumbles this term.
“Of course, but sometimes it’s about momentum,” Guardiola stated.
“All the clubs are there, except Arsenal who are more consistent than anyone.
“But the season is long so we try to be there and see what happens.
“To be honest, I’m so excited and happy to prepare for Sunday. I’m desperate to play against Liverpool.” REUTERS, AFP
