Arne Slot has spoken to the media ahead of Liverpool’s first game of 2026.
The Reds welcome Leeds to Anfield on New Year’s Day, with fans hoping for a much better experience than the one they had against the Whites at the start of December.
After going two goals up, they completely collapsed and came away with a 3-3 draw, and they were lucky to get that in all honesty.
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What changes does Arne Slot need to make to the team he fielded last time out vs Leeds?
Things really didn't go to plan that day…
Liverpool's lineup vs Leeds
Liverpool’s lineup vs Leeds
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This is just one instance where Liverpool’s game management had been questioned, with the worst being just a few weeks after where they struggled to get over the line against the nine men of Tottenham.
Slot was questioned about these instances in his pre-match press conference too, but it is safe to say that his response is not what Reds fans would want to hear.
Arne Slot spoke about bringing on extra defenders when leading towards the end of games
Liverpool have a bit of a habit of going two goals up and then completely crumbling, or at least coming close to.
They have not had a game as of late where they have got over the line comfortably, with fans wondering why they just seem to drop off after half time.
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Whatever Slot has said to them, it does not seem to be working, so when he mentioned that he wishes he could bring someone like Wataru Endo on instead of going for the kill, it should have supporters worried.
“A way to have game management is also having the opportunity to make substitutions,” he said in his press conference.
“Maybe to bring an extra defender in or these kind of things. Last year a lot of times when we were 2-1 up, or one goal up, I brought Wataru Endo in.
Liverpool have a VERY strange record against Leeds! What do you think the score is going to be on New Year’s Day?
Liverpool's recent results vs Leeds
Liverpool’s recent results vs Leeds
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“I already said, I don’t know if everybody notices it, but we miss quite a lot of players. That’s why it’s so special for these players [who] are fit that they are bringing these results in.”
Liverpool have the quality to kill off games
Another worrying thing is that it is not like Liverpool do not have the quality in attack to see games out easily, with this being where they spent most of their money in the summer.
Rather than sitting back and letting teams come onto them, they need to use the likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike and get them on the ball as much as possible.
They have the quality to create chances and score goals, meaning they can get further in front and kill the game off.
But instead, it sounds like Slot likes a more conservative approach, which at the moment has served them fairly well, but it will cost them sooner rather than later.
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