‘everyone Can Disagree’—arne Slot Doubles Down On Contrarian Liverpool Stance

Rather than exclusively revel successful a convincing Champions League triumph astatine nan difficult surroundings of Marseille’s Vélodrome, Arne Slot dragged everyone backmost to his belief that Liverpool had played good against Burnley past weekend.

The Reds drew 1–1 astatine location to nan Clarets earlier romping to a 3–0 triumph successful nan southbound of France connected Wednesday evening successful a important European tie. Slot and his players were booed by nan Anfield crowd successful nan aftermath of different disappointing consequence against promoted guidance and nan Dutch leader did not return kindly to suggestions that immoderate fans are questioning his judgement.

The midweek triumph complete Roberto De Zerbi’s highly respected outfit should person proven Slot’s point, but he couldn’t thief but harp backmost to nan stalemate connected Merseyside 4 days earlier.

“Against Burnley we created 3 aliases 4 times much than we did coming but coming we scored three,” nan Liverpool leader argued. “Everyone tin disagree pinch maine but we played a very bully crippled against Burnley and different bully crippled tonight, but nan strategies were different.”

Liverpool’s Game Stats

Stats via FotMob.

Slot’s assertion that Liverpool created 3 times arsenic galore chances is borne retired by nan changeable count. However, successful some Marseille and Merseyside nan Reds created nan aforesaid number of Opta-defined “Big Chances,” i.e. sights of extremity which nan mean subordinate would beryllium reasonably expected to score.

Burnley’s debased artifact constricted Liverpool to fewer shots which weren’t met pinch a meaty wide of flesh, while Marseille’s willingness to play retired from nan backmost and perpetrate themselves played into nan hands of nan Premier League champions.

“We played badly, we conceded a stupid goal, nan first,” De Zerbi moaned. “The first play was played connected adjacent terms, aliases much aliases little ... In nan 2nd half, nan lucifer opened up a small and, erstwhile you springiness Liverpool players space, it’s evident that you’re going to suffer.”

Slot besides pointed retired that Liverpool enjoyed a mini portion of luck which has often been lacking. “On nan shot we were controlled but what made nan quality this clip was that aft we had a large chance and deed nan post, they had a large chance and put it over,” he pointed out. “Usually this play that goes in. But we were capable to make it 2–0, 3–0 and truthful that makes nan cognition of nan crippled wholly different.”

Slot Singles Out Unheralded Liverpool Star

Slot was speedy to laud Mohamed Salah’s “professionalism” aft nan 33-year-old completed nan afloat 90 minutes pinch conscionable 1 training convention nether his loop pursuing a precocious return from nan Africa Cup of Nations. Yet, it was nan little heralded fig of Joe Gomez who sewage a typical shoutout.

“I saw a batch of bully individual performances coming but I would for illustration to azygous retired Joe Gomez,” Slot smiled. “He has suffered a batch pinch injuries successful nan past fewer years and I haven’t picked him sometimes erstwhile he has been fit. Tonight he was outstanding and truthful important to america winning 3–0.”

Gomez lined up alongside Virgil van Dijk successful a uncommon outing astatine centre backmost to screen for Ibrahima Konaté, who was fixed typical exception to miss nan fixture “because of family matters,” arsenic revealed by nan club.

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