Arne Slot noticed that Liverpool once again dominated large parts of the match against RB Leipzig (0-1), but he still felt that his team should have secured the victory earlier in the Champions League clash against the joint leaders of Germany.
Liverpool took the lead after 27 minutes through Darwin Núñez, capitalizing on a well-executed play that displayed their sharp attacking prowess.
However, despite several promising chances to widen the gap, the team failed to extend their advantage. This left Liverpool in a precarious position for the remainder of the match, especially during the closing stages when RB Leipzig began pushing harder for an equalizer. Slot, Liverpool’s manager, expressed his mixed feelings about the match afterward.
"I thought we started the game very well," Slot remarked during the post-match press conference. "But even after that initial phase, I saw a lot of things that I liked. We often managed to play out from under their pressure, something we’ve been working on, and it led to a few chances more than just a few, actually. It’s disappointing that, in the end, your two central defenders had to be so important and that your goalkeeper had to make two crucial saves. A match like this should have been wrapped up for us after sixty or seventy minutes. And it wasn’t."
Indeed, while Liverpool controlled significant portions of the game, their inability to convert chances into goals left the door open for Leipzig to stage a late resurgence. With only a slender 0-1 lead, Liverpool's defense was tested multiple times in the closing minutes, forcing their goalkeeper into action with two decisive saves that ultimately secured the victory. Slot admitted that while his team did well for most of the game, they missed opportunities to make it more comfortable, a theme he wants to address moving forward.
When asked whether Liverpool had dominated the match as much as in previous fixtures, Slot was clearly baffled by any suggestion to the contrary. "Weren’t you in the stadium?" Slot responded, clearly perplexed. "You thought we didn’t dominate? When you play an away game against a Pot 1 team, there will always be moments when the opponent gets chances. That’s just the reality at this level. But how I see it is that we totally dominated large parts of the game, just like in the other matches we’ve played, except for the one against Chelsea. So, I’m not worried at all."
Slot’s response reflected his confidence in Liverpool's ability to control the game even when they don’t secure a comfortable scoreline. He acknowledged that at the highest level, there will always be challenging moments, but he maintained that his team had shown dominance throughout most of the match. Slot even added, "I was more concerned, if you want to call it that, after the match against Chelsea. But this is how I want to see our team play. Of course, we had difficult phases, but that’s to be expected at this level."
Records
The victory not only extended Liverpool’s winning run but also placed Slot in elite company when it comes to Premier League records. Under his leadership, Liverpool has now won its first six away games of the season, a feat that only two other teams have managed since the Premier League's inception Newcastle United during the 1994/95 season and Manchester City in 2017/18. This record stands as a testament to Slot’s impact since taking over at the club, as he continues to guide Liverpool to success in both domestic and European competitions.
The Dutch manager, who joined Liverpool from Feyenoord, expressed his pride in setting this new record. "It’s a great feeling because so many great players and coaches have worked at this club over the years. So, when you achieve something that hasn’t been done before, it’s very special, especially at a big club like this."
Despite the achievement, Slot remained grounded, focusing on the bigger picture. "But as I always say: records are nice, but trophies are better," he added, reiterating that his ultimate goal is to win silverware with Liverpool. Slot has already won 11 of his first 12 matches as Liverpool manager, a remarkable start to his tenure. However, the true test of his leadership will come with the club’s ability to contend for major honors in the months ahead.
Next up for Liverpool is a crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal, a fixture that promises to be a significant challenge for Slot and his team. Arsenal, known for their high-intensity style and attacking prowess, will present Liverpool with a tough test, but with the momentum of a strong start to the season and Slot’s tactical acumen, Liverpool will be confident heading into the match. As Slot continues to break records and push his team to new heights, Sunday’s encounter will be another opportunity to prove that this Liverpool side is capable of competing for the biggest prizes in football.
