Liverpool boss Arne Slot wants improved performance against Fulham

LONDON – Arne Slot demands constant improvement from his players, even after they win matches.

Liverpool’s next match is at home against Fulham in the English Premier League on Dec 14, and the Dutchman expects a reaction from his players following their midweek 1-0 Champions League win over Girona which he “wasn’t pleased” with – despite maintaining their 100 per cent record in Europe’s elite competition.

The Reds have not played a league game since a 3-3 draw with Newcastle on Dec 4 after Storm Darragh led to their Merseyside derby against Everton last weekend being postponed.

They remain four points clear at the top of the table, with a game in hand.

“You can’t concede the amount of opportunities we gave away in the first half (against Girona),” Slot said on Dec 13.

“And with opportunities also mean the amount of times they could just go over our midfield, and just keep on running to our 18-yard box. And if you play against even better teams, that will harm you.

“(But) these players have been outstanding in every single game. This wasn’t our best performance, but it was still good enough to win a Champions League away game. We should have a much better performance against (Fulham) than we had against Girona to be able to get a result.”

Mohamed Salah scored his team’s lone goal against Girona from the penalty spot, one of seven goals in his last six games across all competitions. He also has 13 goals in the Premier League this season, although Slot said his contribution goes beyond scoring.

“(Salah is also) working really hard for the team when we don’t have the ball,” he added.

“I work with a lot of quality players over here, and Mo is definitely one of them, but he’s also one of the ones that should score goals like the other attackers that we have.

“So yeah, he is also part of the fact why we keep as many clean sheets as we do (a league-best seven), because we defend with 11 and we attack with 11, and he is one of the ones that is the end product of one of our attacks.

“Let’s hope he can continue doing that in the upcoming weeks as well.”

Liverpool could have Diogo Jota back when they resume their chase for the Premier League title against Fulham, while Federico Chiesa’s return is less certain.

Jota has not played since injuring his ribs at the end of October, while Chiesa has played just 18 minutes in the Premier League since arriving from Juventus last summer due to a muscle injury. Slot said both are available.

“What (Chiesa) needs is playing time,” he said. “If you haven’t played for five or six months, it is sometimes difficult for a manager to give him those minutes because you don’t know what to expect.

“He needs to get his fitness level. He needs playing time. But it is not always easy to find these minutes.”

Fulham, meanwhile, are 10th in the league table.

“No fresh (injury) news really, just Joachim (Andersen) and Harrison Reed, plus Reiss Nelson... They are going to be out, and of course the third game of Tom Cairney’s suspension, plus the fifth yellow card from Calvin Bassey,” manager Marco Silva said.

He added: “(Liverpool are) the most consistent team in this league so far and are strong in any moment of the game. They make life difficult for any team they play.

“They’re great in terms of collective quality, the impact of the manager and individual quality. Everything together is why they are top of the league.”

He also reserved special praise for Slot’s impressive start in his debut season in the Premier League.

“The expectations were there and the eyes were on him and how they would react after a big character left (predecessor Jurgen Klopp),” Silva said.

“He’s showed quality and impact so far. You can feel that the players are all on the same page. When you’re playing so well in the Premier League and Champions League, it’s great for everybody.” REUTERS