Liverpool’s manager, Arne Slot, was pleased with the attacking display during their 5-2 victory over West Ham on Saturday, but there were still defensive issues that he found concerning.
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The Reds have won four of their last five matches in the Premier League and are now on a three-game winning streak, significantly boosting their chances of qualifying for next season’s UEFA Champions League.
Here’s what Arne Slot had to say after the match at Anfield.
Arne Slot’s Reaction
On key takeaways from the match: “Certainly, the highlight is that we scored three goals from set pieces, and you could even argue for a fourth, as Cody’s goal came from a subsequent set piece,” Slot told Sky Sports. “That can really change the course of a game. I believe that being 3-0 up at halftime didn’t fully reflect how the game was going. There have been many occasions where we deserved much more but ended up conceding from set pieces. Today, I felt that while we were fortunate to be ahead, scoring three was definitely a bonus.”
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On Liverpool’s quick scoring despite recent slow starts: “That’s accurate. Although we’ve had numerous set pieces in past games without capitalizing on them, chances did come, and we knew our fortunes would eventually change. Now we’re generating chances and scoring, which is uplifting. From open play, I wouldn’t say it was our best performance of the season. It was solid, but not top-tier. Set pieces have proven to be crucial.”
On feeling uneasy in the second half despite a 3-0 lead: “When they made it 3-1, it definitely added to that anxiety. We’ve faced situations this season where leads have slipped away, and that doesn’t help maintain composure. However, after their goal, I don’t think they created many clear-cut chances. We were closer to making it 4-1 with Cody Gakpo, although we missed that opportunity. Overall, we weren’t under significant threat, but our past experiences remind us that control doesn’t guarantee security. Thankfully, we managed to hold on today, and conceding at 4-2 was less concerning than if the margin had been smaller.”
On recent games and the importance of finishing strong: “I dislike conceding goals, but in one instance, nearly our entire team was around the 18-yard box during a set piece, which is expected. For the other goal, most of our players were packed near the box. Ideally, you want that, but sometimes the ball just falls their way. If we maintain this approach consistently, we shouldn’t concede often, and I believe we’ve improved in this aspect. We know we have the quality to score, whether through open play or set pieces.”
On the sense of momentum Liverpool seems to have at this point in the season: “We’ve experienced momentum before, but when you have a rough patch of consecutive losses, each new loss sets you back even further. However, we’ve proven hard to beat for quite some time now, with only two losses in the last 21 games, both in extra time. It’s clear that we are getting better, both in open play and set pieces, which is leading to more positive results.”