Arne Slot spoke about Liverpool's performance after the 2-2 draw against Fulham, in which they played most of the game with 10 men
Liverpool manager Arne Slot looks on during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Fulham FC at Anfield on December 14, 2024 (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Arne Slot has hailed Ryan Gravenberch as ‘outstanding’ after he was forced to play at centre-back for the majority of Liverpool’s 2-2 draw with Fulham, and shared his delight at being able to welcome Diogo Jota back from injury as the Portuguese netted a late equaliser against the Cottagers.
Andy Robertson was sent off after just 17 minutes, with the Reds head coach opting to reshuffle his backline with Gravenberch dropping into defence as a result.
Despite being out of position, the Netherlands international was again a standout performer for Liverpool as they twice came from behind to earn a share of the spoils.
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And Slot was full of praise for his compatriot as he paid tribute to his whole team’s performance after playing with 10 men for over 70 minutes.
“Impressed, like everyone who was in the stadium or saw the game,” he said. “Ryan did outstanding again today.
“Without the ball, he was mostly in our last line. He had to play against sometimes the nine, against wingers who are really fast and with the ball, he came into the midfield.
“An outstanding performance from him but if we only highlight him, I don't give enough credit to all the other ones who played next to and around him because I couldn't have asked for more.
“Dominate the game, more ball possession, more chances created which is everything you want. Unfortunately, the only chance they got with 10 men led to a goal. That sometimes happens as well.”
Meanwhile, Slot also shared his delight at having Diogo Jota back from injury as the Portuguese scored a later equaliser against the Cottagers, while he was pleased to see all of his substitutes - including a recently out-of-form Darwin Nunez - make an impact from the bench.
“First of all we are delighted to have some players back, because we have had our injuries,” Slot said of Jota and Federico Chiesa, with the Italian left unused against Fulham. “The good thing is that nobody spoke about it because that means you get results.
“But to have them available at this moment of time was really helpful because… there are two Dutch journalists here so they were not surprised, maybe, by my substitutions I made. And maybe you as well, you weren’t.
“We just tried to bring all the players in that can score a goal. And then to see them working so hard without the ball.
“So we had five or six players who are mainly offensive players. For them to be able, with 10, to keep the other team away from goal and still create chances was great to see.
“And indeed Jota - Darwin had an impact but Harvey had an impact as well - Been out for two months now, it’s good to have him back also.”