Arne Slot praised Liverpool’s exceptional off-the-ball work ethic as the key factor in their impressive 3-0 victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Luis Diaz scored twice in the first half, following an early disallowed goal by Trent Alexander-Arnold. Mohamed Salah added a third goal after the break, securing a dominant win for Liverpool over their rivals.
This result highlights a strong start to Slot’s tenure, with Liverpool winning all three of his initial Premier League matches, scoring seven goals and conceding none. They head into the international break as one of only two teams to have accumulated nine points so far this season, alongside Manchester City.
In his post-match press conference, Slot shared his thoughts on the game:
On Liverpool’s performance:
“I don’t think it could have gone any better. We faced some challenges early on, as United started strongly and we conceded a few corners. However, we managed these moments well. Despite the disallowed goal, we maintained our focus, scored freely, and could have added more. Alisson made two crucial saves in the second half. The most crucial factor today was our incredible work rate off the ball, which made it a very positive day.”
On the season’s start:
“I don’t usually use the term ‘proud,’ but our work rate without the ball has been excellent in all three games. We press high, and even when opponents break through, everyone works hard to support our defense. While I know our defensive capabilities, I was particularly impressed with how we played with the ball today.”
On the significance of the win:
“Being involved in this game was special, especially because we won. I’m pleased with the victory and the manner in which we achieved it.”
On exploiting United’s midfield:
“We aimed to exploit United’s midfield by finding open players when we had possession. Our midfielders performed well, but they relied on our center-backs to support them. Virgil van Dijk and Ibou Konate were crucial in defense. Overall, it was a great team performance, with all players contributing effectively.”
On Ryan Gravenberch’s role:
“Gravenberch’s quality on the ball stands out, but I’m also impressed by his stamina and ability in duels. His contributions in our build-up play and his running ability are significant assets.”
On improving the defensive record:
“Our approach hasn’t changed much. We continue to press high, as Liverpool traditionally does. The clean sheets against Ipswich and Brentford were important, and maintaining one against a strong team like United is impressive. However, there’s still much to prove, especially with the challenges of the Champions League ahead.”
Overall, Slot’s comments reflect a strong start to his Liverpool tenure, with a focus on team performance and defensive solidity as key areas of improvement.
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