Arne Slot is not worried about a lack of focus from his team now that Liverpool is the leader of the Premier League. He also dismissed any concerns about a difficult timing on Saturday afternoon, but acknowledged the challenge of an away match.
Arne Slot’s confidence in his Liverpool squad is unmistakable as they continue their strong run in the Premier League.
The Dutch manager, who has overseen a resurgence in Liverpool's form, remains unfazed by the pressure of being league leaders and insists his players are fully grounded despite their early-season success. "We are Liverpool, the players here are used to being at the top of the table," Slot explained when questioned about the team's mentality. For a squad that has achieved so much in recent seasons, including Premier League and Champions League victories, Slot believes that complacency is not an issue. "It would be strange if a player here had their head in the clouds. But if we don't play well tomorrow, people will say we've been carried away, rather than giving credit to Crystal Palace for playing well," he added, acknowledging the fine margins that exist in top-flight football.
Slot stressed the experience and professionalism of his squad, noting that most of his players have won major titles and are fully aware of the long road ahead. "The players are experienced enough to know we've only played six games. Most of them have won the Premier League and Champions League, so they aren't constantly checking their phones to look at the standings," Slot remarked. His message is clear: despite being at the summit early in the season, the focus remains on maintaining consistency over the long haul.
As Liverpool prepares for a tricky away fixture against Crystal Palace, Slot dismissed any concerns about the timing of the match, which is scheduled for 13:30 on Saturday (12:30 UK time). In the Netherlands, there was previously some discussion about Slot's Feyenoord side struggling with early Sunday kickoffs, but the Liverpool boss brushed off such worries. "If 12:30 is a difficult time to perform, then I’m a foolish manager, because I train every day at 12:00," Slot quipped with a smile. For Slot, the real challenge lies in facing tough opposition rather than the time of day. "People talk about 12:30, but we talk about tough away matches. Manchester United (0-0) and Chelsea (1-1) have shown how hard it is to get results against Crystal Palace," he pointed out, emphasizing the difficulty of winning away games in the Premier League, particularly against well-organized teams like Palace.
Another topic that has captured attention during Slot’s press conferences is the development of Ryan Gravenberch. The young midfielder, who joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich, has been a focal point of Slot's tactical setup. Gravenberch’s potential is evident, but Slot acknowledged that managing the workload for the 21-year-old could be challenging. "It will be a challenge for him to play a match every three days," Slot admitted. He noted that Gravenberch has already played more ninety-minute games in a short span than he had in the previous two seasons combined, highlighting the increased demands placed on the player at Liverpool. Slot’s comments reflect his awareness of the physical and mental strain that comes with top-level football, particularly for younger players adapting to a new environment and higher expectations.
The issue of expiring contracts at Liverpool also surfaced during the press briefing. Key players like Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have contracts that run out at the end of the season, prompting speculation about their futures. When asked about these situations, Slot was diplomatic. "I'll give the same boring answer as always. Try asking again after the international break," Slot responded, unwilling to dive into contract discussions in the midst of a busy schedule. The futures of these stars will undoubtedly be a major talking point as the season progresses, but for now, Slot prefers to focus on the task at hand.
Among the players thriving under Slot’s management is Darwin Núñez. The Uruguayan striker, who endured a mixed first season at Liverpool, has started to find his feet under the Dutch coach’s system. Slot took responsibility for ensuring that Núñez is utilized effectively. "As a staff, we have to get the best performance out of the players," he said. Slot explained that the tactical approach for Núñez differs from that of Diogo Jota, another forward in the squad. "We try to position Darwin differently than Diogo because they are not the same type of player. So their teammates also adjust to the player they are playing with," Slot elaborated, highlighting the importance of tailoring the team’s playstyle to suit individual strengths.
Despite Núñez’s improvements, the striker experienced some frustration midweek when a goal he scored was ruled out for offside. Slot acknowledged the setback but remained optimistic about Núñez’s trajectory. "The fact that a midweek goal from Núñez was disallowed for offside didn’t help, but he’s showing great promise," Slot noted. The Uruguayan's ability to consistently find the back of the net will be crucial for Liverpool as they look to maintain their momentum in the Premier League and beyond.
With crucial fixtures ahead, including the game against Crystal Palace and upcoming Champions League matches, Liverpool’s ability to rotate and maintain performance levels across the squad will be vital. Slot’s leadership, combined with the depth of talent at his disposal, puts Liverpool in a strong position to compete on multiple fronts this season. As the players continue to adapt to Slot’s methods and the tactical nuances he introduces, the team’s long-term prospects look bright, with both seasoned stars and emerging talents contributing to the club's ambitions.
