Arne Slot expressed his satisfaction with Liverpool’s hard-fought 2-1 victory over Chelsea at Anfield on Sunday, praising the determination and grit displayed by his side.
The Reds clinched the win through a Mohamed Salah penalty in the first half and a strike from Curtis Jones in the second. Chelsea managed to equalize briefly with a Nicolas Jackson goal, which was initially ruled offside but allowed after VAR intervention. However, Liverpool showed resilience and composure to see out the match, earning three crucial Premier League points.
Here are some key takeaways from Slot’s post-match press conference, where he shared his thoughts on the game and the performances that stood out.
On Being Satisfied with the Result
Slot began by expressing his overall happiness with the result, noting that any victory is always pleasing. However, he was quick to admit that the performance was far from a dominant display.
“Of course, I’m pleased with the outcome. Winning is always a positive result, but ideally, you want to outplay the opponent completely. That wasn’t the case today—it was a very balanced match,” Slot admitted. He acknowledged that there were moments when Liverpool had to dig deep and defend stoutly, particularly when Chelsea applied pressure during certain phases of the game.
“What I found really pleasing, though, was our ability to stay strong defensively when we had to,” he added. Slot praised crucial defensive moments, such as the block tackles made by Curtis Jones in the first half and Dominik Szoboszlai in the second half, which he felt were as pivotal to the outcome as the goals themselves.
He also touched on the nature of the game, which was marked by several key decisions from the referee that added to the drama of the contest. “There were a lot of decisions that made the game what it was. For a neutral, it was probably a very exciting match to watch. And as a Liverpool fan, I think you enjoyed it in the end as well.”
On Curtis Jones’ Performance
Slot was effusive in his praise for Curtis Jones, who not only scored one of Liverpool’s goals but also played a critical role defensively, tasked with marking Chelsea’s highly-rated young attacker, Cole Palmer.
“Curtis had a very good game today,” Slot said. “He had a tough job trying to contain Palmer, who I think is an exceptional player. He’s so difficult to defend because of his versatility and technical skills, but Curtis managed to do that for the majority of the game.”
Slot acknowledged that it’s nearly impossible to keep a player like Palmer under wraps for the full 90 minutes, but he commended Jones for coming close. “To also have an impact on the other side of the pitch by scoring a goal and being involved in two penalty situations—one of which was eventually overturned by VAR—just shows how influential he was on both ends of the pitch.”
On Whether This Win Builds Confidence for a Title Challenge
Many viewed this game as Liverpool’s first major test of the season, and Slot was asked whether the result gives him added confidence that his team can maintain their position at the top of the table. However, Slot downplayed the notion that this particular game was more significant than others, pointing out that Liverpool had already faced tough tests earlier in the season.
“The media built this up as our first real test, but I disagree. Going to Old Trafford to play a strong Manchester United team was a big test too,” Slot remarked. “I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again—don’t judge us based on one game. Judge us after six, seven, or eight more matches. That’s when we’ll really see where we stand.”
Slot emphasized that the real challenge lies ahead, particularly with the packed fixture schedule that comes with competing in both the Premier League and Champions League. “We have Leipzig on Wednesday, Arsenal next Sunday, then Brighton, and after that, Leverkusen and Aston Villa. These are the real tests—playing top-quality teams every three days,” he explained.
Reflecting on the challenges of balancing domestic and European commitments, Slot pointed to Manchester City and Arsenal as examples. “City and Arsenal have been doing this for two years now, and it’s incredibly difficult. Two years ago, it was tough for us to manage both competitions, and last season, you saw how difficult it was for United and Newcastle. That’s the test we face now.”
On Mohamed Salah’s Contribution
Mohamed Salah’s performance was another talking point, and Slot took a moment to commend the Egyptian forward’s contributions beyond his goal. Salah not only scored the opening goal but also played a crucial role defensively, something Slot particularly appreciated.
“What’s great is that you’re asking me about Salah’s performance rather than his contract situation for once!” Slot joked, referring to the constant speculation around Salah’s future. “He’s so important for us, not just for his goals but for the work he does for the team. Today, I told Trent [Alexander-Arnold] after the game that he has competition at right-back because Mo was defending like one today.”
Slot went on to highlight the defensive shift Salah put in, noting that his effort in tracking back was as impressive as his attacking contributions. “His goal and assist were vital, but the way he helped the team defensively was just as crucial. That’s what makes him such a complete player for us.”
On the Challenges of the Season Ahead
Finally, Slot touched on the difficulties of managing a squad through a grueling season, especially with injuries and illnesses already affecting the team. “After the international break, we’ve had some issues,” Slot revealed. “Conor Bradley wasn’t available, and Trent, who you might not know, didn’t train for the first few days after returning. He was a doubt before the game.”
He also mentioned that Alexis Mac Allister had been unwell, while Diogo Jota had to be substituted during the match due to an injury concern. Slot admitted he would be surprised if Jota was available for the upcoming Champions League clash against RB Leipzig.
“These are the kinds of challenges you face throughout the season,” he said. “That’s why it’s so difficult to win a league title. You have to cope with injuries, illnesses, and the demands of playing at the highest level every three days.”
Slot was pleased with Liverpool’s performance but remained grounded in his assessment of the season ahead. “It’s a great start, and winning this big game is a positive step. But we also saw today how tough it was, and Chelsea made life difficult for us. If I were their manager, I’d be thinking that if they can play like this at Anfield, they can certainly challenge for a top-four spot.”
Slot’s remarks reflected both pride in his team’s effort and a realistic understanding of the challenges that lie ahead as Liverpool continue their push for silverware this season.
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