Liverpool needed a late own goal to snare a 1-1 draw with Sunderland, with Mohamed Salah on the bench for the second time a week.
Sunderland took a 67th minute lead courtesy of Chemsdine Talbi’s shot, which was diverted by Virgil van Dijk. But Florian Wirtz’s shot, which also came via a deflection, helped Liverpool to a point.
Slot thinks it could be a turning point, because it is a game they would have lost previously this season given their recent run of form.
“Far too many times this season we don’t concede a lot of chances but the ones that we do go in. We weren’t lucky enough to get the win over the line but in recent weeks we would have lost this game so that is a positive,” he said on BBC.
“We are already 14 games in now and we haven’t been able to score enough from open play or from set-pieces.”
While commentating on Sky Sports, Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher had a different view.
“The performance was really, really worrying. It feels like a step back. They didn’t look like scoring. They were lacking zip, energy, pace and power. It’s really worrying.”
Salah came on, but again started on the bench.
“The manager doesn’t know his best XI,” assessed former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge.
“Players are coming in and finding their fitness, Wirtz and Isak. The players are trying to find their rhythm and the manager is seeking confidence and assurances. Today was the first time I’ve noticed that the manager has changed what he would typically do. They’ve got to make a decision on what the structure is and roll with it.”
Arsenal are five points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table courtesy of a 2-0 win over Brentford via goals from Mikel Marino and Bukayo Saka.
On another solid night for Mikel Arteta’s side, the only negative were injuries to Cristhian Mosquera and Declan Rice.
“We looked very mature especially the moment our energy started dropping. The personality we had to keep the ball in the right areas, it’s really pleasing because we lost some players again,” Arteta assessed.
“We had already lost our two big centre-backs and today we lost Mosquera. Ben White comes in and has a great performance. I’m delighted to see that because otherwise we wouldn’t be in the position we’re in today.
“Ben White was great. He has been training really well. I love him. I think he is a player when you need him he is always there. I’m really happy he played a really great game today.”
Meanwhile, Leeds stunned Chelsea to end a four-game losing run and relieve the pressure on Daniel Farke in a 3-1 win at Elland Road.
Maiden Premier League goals from Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka had Leeds up 2-0 before Pedro Neto breathed life into Chelsea’s performance.
A Dominic Calvert-Lewin tap-in sealed the result that saw Leeds climb out of the relegation zone.
“A very poor night, they \[Leeds\] deserved to win the game, they were better in all aspects. \[We will\] Just try to analyse and learn from this game and focus on the next one,” Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca told BBC>
“It’s not about possession, in possession you need a purpose. Today they were better in all aspects. Congratulations to them. After the goal we scored we had one or two clear chances, but the third goal killed the game completely, then it’s much more difficult.
“It’s reality, it’s Premier League, you need to perform every game, no matter if you are at home or away or who the other team is. It’s important to see where we are going to be in February or March, but most important is to understand what we did bad tonight and then try to improve.”
Elsewhere, Aston Villa won a seven-goal thriller at Brighton & Hove Albion to leap into third, courtesy of a brace from Ollie Watkins, who has been recently linked with a move away from Villa Park.
Unai Emery’s side were 2-0 down after goals from Jan Paul van Hecke and a Pau Torres own goal, but Watkins started the comeback and had the side level by the break, before Amadou Onana and Donyell Malen, off the bench, made it 4-2. They held on despite Van Hecke’s sealing a brace of his own.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Ollie Watkins said: “I think since the managers come in, I’ve scored a lot of goals, and got assists. Always find myself playing regularly in the team.
“So to go a prolonged period without scoring and doing that, it does affect you. It has been hard, but you have to just keep picking yourself up, turning up every day, and working hard.
“You get your rewards in the end and and now I can put that behind me and keep looking forward. We’re in an amazing place. Even though I wasn’t scoring, I looked at the bigger picture where we’re further in the league.
“Winning every week, what isn’t there to love, really? So if I can add goals, it gets even better.”
Elsewhere, there were away wins for Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest at Burnley and Wolves.