Liverpool’s Impressive Defensive Form Down to Ball Domination, Says Manager Arne Slot
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has credited his side’s exceptional defensive performances to their ability to dominate most matches they have played in. The Dutchman, who has enjoyed a record-breaking start to his tenure at Anfield, attributes his team’s success to their ability to control games and have the ball, thus reducing the opportunity for opponents to score.
In an exclusive interview with reporters, Slot emphasized the significance of possession in his team’s success. “If you have the ball, you know, it helps if you dominate, if you have the ball, in order that you then can’t concede,” he said. “It’s not just about having possession, but also about using it effectively to dictate the pace of the game and limit the opponent’s opportunities.”
Slot’s comments were backed by his side’s defensive record, which includes just three goals conceded in the Premier League – the best in the division. When asked about his team’s ability to shut out opponents, the Liverpool manager highlighted the importance of his team’s work rate. “If we have difficult parts of the game or for a large part of the game like we had against Chelsea, the work-rate is incredible not to concede,” he said.
The Liverpool manager also credited his team’s solid defense to the quality of his players, particularly the core of his back four. “If you combine that with having the likes of Virgil [van Dijk] and Ibou [Konate] and the two goalkeepers we’ve used until now, that is probably one of the reasons – these three elements – why we haven’t conceded that much,” he said.
Slot’s team face a crucial Premier League test on Sunday when they travel to face title rivals Arsenal. The match will be their third consecutive away game, following trips to RB Leipzig and Brighton & Hove Albion. While some teams might struggle with the same fixture, Slot is confident that his team is well-equipped to handle the demands of three games in quick succession. “That’s part of our lives [and] that’s also what the players are used to,” he said.
The Liverpool manager acknowledged that the team’s schedule might be tighter than usual, but believes his players are accustomed to the challenges. “For this game [Arsenal] we have three days in between, so that’s more than we had before the Leipzig game. It’s also more than we have for the Brighton game. Unfortunately for us, for all these three games we have one day less in recovery than the three teams we face, but that is also part of a season and part of our lives,” he explained.
In his first 12 games in charge, Slot has demonstrated a shrewd understanding of his team’s strengths and weaknesses, and his tactics have reaped dividends. As his team prepares to face Arsenal, they will look to continue their impressive form, with the manager’s words of wisdom guiding them towards another successful outcome.
