Liverpool focusing only on next match, not Arsenal, says Arne Slot
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot is only focusing on how to beat Brentford and not look at the Premier League table with Arsenal chasing them down.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
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LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot is not too concerned about his English Premier League table toppers being chased down by second-placed Arsenal.
Instead, the 46-year-old Dutchman is focusing only on the Reds’ league trip to Brentford on Jan 18.
Liverpool are currently top of the standings on 47 points, and have a game in hand over the Gunners (43), who take on Aston Villa a couple of hours after their match.
When asked on Jan 17 if a win can put pressure on Arsenal, Slot said: “No, I didn’t even know that they were playing later than us... I only look at the opponent we have to face and it’s a tough one. I have no other focus like when Arsenal or Chelsea plays or whoever.
“Brentford, I think, was my first Premier League game (Brentford match was in fact second) and I thought that, if this was going to be the resistance we face every week, then this is going to be a more difficult league than Eredivisie.
“They have had a really good season up until now. They had a 2-2 draw with (Manchester) City which was a great game, both teams were creating a lot of chances and their manager has done an amazing job for so many years.”
The Liverpool boss would be wary of the threat posed by the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium, where they have scored 29 goals, more than any other team at home this season.
Brentford sit 11th in the table with 28 points from 21 matches.
Aside from a 4-0 win over lower-league Accrington Stanley
It is not an ideal time to be playing Brentford at their home ground. When asked about the lack of clean sheets, Slot added: “I wouldn’t say it’s a concern, but it’s not what we want. One of our strengths was keeping clean sheets earlier on.”
He also confirmed that forward Diogo Jota missed training and is a doubt for the match. The 28-year-old Portugal international had returned only in December after recovering from an upper body impact injury, which he had picked up at the end of October.
Liverpool forward Diogo Jota is a doubt for the match against Brentford.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Having come off the bench to rescue a point for Liverpool when they played high-flying Nottingham Fores
“No doubt about his importance for us but he wasn’t training, so we have to see today where he is. It’s not sure he is available tomorrow, we’ll see today,” Slot said.
“He felt a little bit when he came in, a niggle during the half-hour he came in. He finished the game but complained a bit about it. We’ll see for tomorrow.”
Luis Diaz has a sore throat, but Slot expected the 28-year-old Colombian forward to be fit.
“We are trying to get the best out of players. These players know how long this season is and how good they have to be to win something, which is not something that happens every week,” he added of his team’s preparations.
“So we focus on a good session today and a good game tomorrow, and the only way to get a result is to work on the best possible basis every day.”
Brentford boss Thomas Frank, meanwhile, has warned his men to expect a difficult game played at the highest intensity.
“I expect an entertaining game. I expect a game that, at times, will be end to end,” the 51-year-old Dane said.
“It’s about how we can play to our strengths, but also acknowledge and be aware of what Liverpool are very good at – they’re probably the best transition team in the world.” REUTERS
