When you work hard you get a chance to be lucky, says Liverpool boss Arne Slot
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot will hope that his side can clinch their eighth straight win in all competitions when they take on Crystal Palace.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON – Arne Slot believes that it is all down to hard work that Liverpool are always “lucky”, as he prepares to take his side to fellow unbeaten side Crystal Palace for their English Premier League clash on Sept 27.
The Reds have got off to a flyer with seven successive wins in all competitions, but the league leaders will face a stern examination at Selhurst Park.
Slot’s men, bolstered by their knack for scoring late winners, have marched five points clear after reeling off five straight league victories.
However, Oliver Glasner’s Palace are also flying high, in fifth place.
“To say I am surprised is too strong but after our games, if you said we’d have maximum points, I would have signed straight away,” said Slot of his team’s results so far.
“Maybe we were a bit lucky to get 100 per cent, but we work incredibly hard as well and when you work hard you get a chance to be lucky. I don’t think we stole a win, but some games a draw would be more fair. Looking at the schedule, I am more than pleased.
“We keep working and understand we can win it late as long as it is level. We have to bring this to every game, especially against Palace.”
FA Cup holders Palace are the only other unbeaten team left in the top division and have enjoyed recent success against Liverpool, beating them on penalties in the Community Shield season curtain-raiser at Wembley in August.
Palace also drew 1-1 with the Reds at Anfield on the final day of last season, an impressive result that ranks as part of their current 16-match unbeaten run in competitive matches dating back to April.
“They are disciplined, enormous defensively,” added Slot.
“Ten outfield players plus ’keeper who work so hard to prevent other teams, we saw this in Community Shield. They are calm in their own half and... it’s hard to play through.
“What stands out for me is their defensive work.”
With Hugo Ekitike suspended, British-record signing Alexander Isak is set to lead the Liverpool attack after scoring his first goal for the club in the midweek League Cup win against Southampton.
Isak will be closely watched by Palace’s England defender Marc Guehi, who was on the verge of joining Liverpool before the move collapsed on transfer deadline day.
“He is able to play minutes, 90 is still dependent on the pace and intensity of the game,” said Slot of Isak.
“Also for the long term, maybe a stupid hit to bring him to 90 (minutes) and we bring him too far over the line, so not smart to play 90 yet. Into his pre-season now and players go 60-70, some clubs do 90, our clubs do 60 or 70.
“I don’t think (we want) to talk about Guehi again. He is a Palace player and very important for them. We prepare for Palace – not lost for (many) games in a row, so difficult team to beat, but so are we.”
A tough test awaits Slot, but the Dutchman will be boosted by the fact that Liverpool have a stellar record at Selhurst Park – they have won nine and drawn one of their last 10 Premier League games at Palace. It is their longest ongoing unbeaten run away from home in the league against any side.
And while Palace should provide a challenge, they have won just one of their last 16 league matches against Liverpool, drawing three and losing 12. The Eagles have also not scored more than once in any of their last 12 games against the Reds, so the odds will be against the home side to get a positive result.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha has signed his first professional contract. Details of the deal were not disclosed, but British media reported the forward signed a contract until 2028 as three years is the maximum contract term for players under the age of 18 under Football Association rules.
Ngumoha came off the bench and scored a 100th-minute winner on his Premier League debut at Newcastle United in August, becoming the club’s youngest scorer. He also featured in Liverpool’s Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid at Anfield on Sept 17.
The England youth international was handed his senior debut in an FA Cup tie with Accrington Stanley in January. He joined Liverpool’s academy from Chelsea in 2024 and has since made five senior appearances. AFP, REUTERS
