Best thing is not to drop points early in season, says Liverpool boss Arne Slot
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot said it is important not to drop points against a fellow title contender so early.
PHOTO: EPA
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LONDON – Late summer blockbuster, early title skirmish, clash of the big spenders – call it what you will, but the Aug 31 showdown between English Premier League champions Liverpool and Arsenal could shape the narrative for the long months ahead.
The season has just started and both sides will have 35 games more to play after the dust settles at Anfield, but the chance to land an early psychological uppercut on rivals for the crown will be forefront in the minds of managers Arne Slot and Mikel Arteta.
Slot, in particular, said it is important not to drop points against fellow title contenders so early.
“You do play better later in the season so you can lose ground (early), but not a lot,” he said.
“So you are able to drop a few points and still be competitive. But the best thing is not to drop points. It’s normal we can play even better in a few weeks than we do now.
“But I will be surprised if a team gets a point record in the league (this season) because of the strength of the league.”
Both sides have taken maximum points from their opening two games. However, the manner in which they have achieved that makes their meeting all the more intriguing.
Liverpool have banged in seven goals in two games, but their new recruits have had mixed starts and defensively they have looked unusually vulnerable with four goals conceded.
Hugo Ekitike has hit the ground running, scoring in the 4-2 win against Bournemouth and the rip-roaring and rather fortuitous 3-2 victory at Newcastle United
“He has already made a big impact, not only scoring goals but the build-up situations.
“The most simple answer to what he can improve is his match fitness. I expect him to do even a lot more without the ball, which is completely normal, as it’s a different league and different playing style,” added Slot.
However, £116 million (S$201 million) signing Florian Wirtz is still adjusting to the sheer pace and physicality of England’s top flight while new left-back Milos Kerkez has struggled.
In contrast, Arsenal have been water-tight at the back, enjoying two clean sheets and their new-look forward line spearheaded by Viktor Gyokeres sparked into life in the 5-0 thrashing of Leeds United
The Gunners’ lack of firepower has been identified as the reason they have finished second in a succession of two-horse Premier League title races and a fair chunk of the £250 million invested in the summer has been to address that.
The capture of Sweden international Gyokeres and the audacious swoop for Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze
So much so that injuries to Bukayo Saka, Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard do not feel as damaging, even ahead of a trip to Anfield where Liverpool have not lost a league game for almost a year.
Gyokores scored a brace in the win against Leeds and will be out to make a statement against a Liverpool defence that looked fragile against 10-man Newcastle.
Both league games between them ended in 2-2 draws last term – the first at the Emirates Stadium in October when Arsenal twice led and the second in May when Arsenal’s players gave the title winners a guard of honour at Anfield.
“The playing style of Arsenal has not changed too much,” said Slot.
“But Gyokeres is different to Havertz, and a target man who maybe makes more runs in behind. But I think it is the same style.” REUTERS
