Arne Slot led Liverpool to a home victory over Chelsea (2-1) last week. The next test awaits on Sunday, with an away match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. "It's an away game, so it's harder than playing Chelsea at home."
Arne Slot, Liverpool’s head coach, faces a challenging situation as he prepares his team to confront Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in a high-stakes away match.
With key players like Alisson Becker, Federico Chiesa, Harvey Elliott, and Diogo Jota sidelined, Slot acknowledged that Liverpool won’t have the full strength of its squad for this encounter. Diogo Jota’s absence, in particular, follows an injury sustained against Chelsea, where he left the field due to a bruised rib. Slot updated fans and the press about the progress of the injured players during a recent press conference: “Things are not going badly. Federico will rejoin group training today or tomorrow, but Diogo won’t yet. For both of them, the match against Arsenal comes too soon.” This news undoubtedly reshapes Liverpool’s strategy for the match, as these players' contributions are significant to the team’s dynamic.
Slot offered insights into Arsenal’s style, highlighting the similarities to Chelsea in their tactical approach. “They play in the same formation,” he noted, adding that Arsenal’s recent form and league standings demonstrate their quality. “Over the last two seasons, Arsenal has finished higher than us, so you would think that playing against Arsenal is harder than against Chelsea. But we can only say that at the end of the season,” Slot explained, cautiously refraining from drawing definitive conclusions so early. He further pointed out the challenge of playing Arsenal away, stating, “In any case, it’s an away game, so that makes it tougher than playing Chelsea at home.” Arsenal’s record at the Emirates has proven formidable, and Slot is fully aware of the obstacles Liverpool faces in competing on such challenging turf.
Identifying Main Competitors
The Dutch coach took a measured stance when discussing Liverpool’s main competitors for the season, noting that the Premier League’s unpredictability keeps many outcomes uncertain. “The season is still young. No one knows exactly who the main competitors will be,” Slot observed. However, he underscored the significance of competing strongly against Arsenal, who he expects will rank among the league’s strongest. “Arsenal will certainly be among them, so it’s important to take points from them,” Slot said, signaling the importance of every match against top-tier teams, especially early in the season. Winning or securing points in such games can set the tone for Liverpool’s overall campaign, potentially providing a psychological advantage as the season progresses.
As Slot reflected on his objectives, he shared that he doesn’t operate with a rigid points target for early games. “Before the season started, I didn’t have a set idea of how many points I wanted. I had no expectations after one, two, three, or even ten matches. However, I do have expectations for how I want to see the team play,” Slot explained. His focus on long-term team development suggests an emphasis on building consistency, style, and resilience over fixating on immediate points. For Slot, developing Liverpool’s identity on the pitch remains paramount, aiming to instill a cohesive style of play that will be effective throughout the season rather than solely in specific high-profile matches.
Slot concluded the press conference by underlining the importance of focusing on the process rather than the outcome alone. “It’s about the process. So far, it has brought us points,” he remarked, reinforcing his belief in the team’s gradual growth and improvement. Although he acknowledged the difficulty of an away win at Arsenal, Slot expressed optimism, saying, “Winning away at Arsenal is difficult, but we’ll try on Sunday.” The upcoming match presents Liverpool with a significant test, not only for securing points but also for demonstrating the team’s progress under Slot’s leadership.
This upcoming clash with Arsenal will put Slot’s strategies, his ability to adapt in the face of player absences, and Liverpool’s depth to the test. Facing a team like Arsenal early in the season offers Liverpool an opportunity to set a benchmark for their competitive level, especially against a squad that is expected to challenge for top positions. Slot’s cautious optimism and process-oriented approach could be the foundation Liverpool needs to navigate the complexities of this Premier League season, especially as they tackle rivals on their home turf.
