Liverpool head coach Arne Slot picks two things that he did not like during the team’s 0-1 victory over Girona. The Reds beat the Spanish club on Tuesday to secure their sixth straight victory in the Champions League this season.
Slot fielded a strong team, taking advantage of the surprise rest caused by the postponement of the Everton game amid fixture congestion. While Liverpool dominated the possession, Girona threatened the visitors numerous times with their incisive passing and direct style of play.
Furthermore, Girona showed impressive structural discipline to counter Liverpool and force them to commit before they gained possession again. The Spanish club played from the back whenever they dictated the possession as Liverpool lacked that high-pressing game during the night.
Arne Slot showcases winning mentality as he identifies 'lot' of Liverpool concerns.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot provided constructive criticism to his team after their narrow 0-1 victory over Girona.
Liverpool faced a peculiar situation as the rest due to Everton’s game postponement is a welcoming occurrence but it could easily hinder the rhythm. Nevertheless, the players displayed signs of fatigue against Newcastle United in a tough 3-3 draw at St James Park.
Speaking to the reporters in the post-match press conference (via Liverpoolfc.com), Slot nitpicked two things which he found unacceptable. He said:
“A lot, but especially two things. If you play against a team that has such a good idea about football, knows how to bring the ball out from the back – like some other teams we faced recently, like [Manchester] City or Real Madrid – then you need to be so intense if you want to make it difficult for them. But if every time you are waiting a few seconds before you press, and if you do press you are so easily outplayed, then this team can cause you a lot of problems. That’s what they’ve shown throughout the whole Champions League campaign, except for [against] PSV Eindhoven away.”
Dominik Szoboszlai’s angry reaction during the first half when his teammate failed to match his pressing intensity proves Slot’s point. The Liverpool boss explained the second thing while admitting that Girona deserved more from their Champions League campaign. He added:
“I almost feel sorry for them because they deserved so much more in this Champions League campaign than the three points they have until now. But we have an incredible goalkeeper. The other part was every time we lost the ball we were not aggressive enough, so every time we lost the ball they could almost every time go all the way to our goal, having a shot or a blocked shot, and then we could attack again. Hardly any control at all over the game; maybe the second half was a bit better, but then I am trying to be positive.”
The game against Girona lacks incentives as the Reds have already qualified for the round of 16 but professionalism matters. Furthermore, Slot’s demand for perfection will receive appreciation from the fanbase who persistently demand a similar level of commitment.
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The game is a good learning curve for the players to regain their rhythm before the Fulham game next weekend. Liverpool are currently at the top of the Premier League and the Champions League table but there is no margin for error.