Arne Slot has been under heavy fire from people around Liverpool, but the mood after Arsenal has changed.
For weeks now, despite a lengthy unbeaten run lasting since November, Slot has been slammed by supporters.
Liverpool fans even called for his sacking after watching the first half of the Arsenal match on January 8.
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Who was your Man of the Match during Liverpool’s battling draw with Arsenal?
Much better from the Reds today!
Milos Kerkez battles with Bukayo Saka during Liverpool's Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.
Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
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Their main gripe in recent matches has been the Reds’ performances, which have been underwhelming and lacked any sort of spark in the final third.
The Arsenal match was no different, yet many are now praising Liverpool for the 90 minutes of football produced at the Emirates.
Arne Slot is spot-on about Liverpool’s performance vs Arsenal
Liverpool didn’t have a single shot on target against Mikel Arteta’s men, the first time that has happened in one of their away Premier League matches since 2010 (versus Wigan Athletic).
Yes, a point against first place is a decent result, but as mentioned, fans’ main issue has not been results; it’s been the displays.
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While people like Daniel Sturridge and Dominik Szoboszlai were positive in the aftermath of the game, the reality is Liverpool set up very cautiously with the goal simply not to be exposed defensively, just like they have done in recent games against the likes of Leeds United and Fulham.
As a result, it’s not surprising to see Slot pointing out the double standards imposed by people when he himself basically admitted the Arsenal tie was no different from previous results when the team was being slated.
The Liverpool boss said, as quoted by Lewis Steele on X/Twitter: “Normally when we have 60/70% ball possession, people say we are boring. Now it is ‘phwoar, what a performance’. This is who we are.”
He added: “Yes, we did really well, but for me it was not that much different to Leeds home or Fulham away but people are annoyed.”
Prove me wrong: Liverpool DID NOT turn a corner with 0-0 draw against Arsenal
Even Slot admitted the performance was similar to recent weeks when he and the team were being slated…
Arne Slot after Arsenal v Liverpool - Premier League
Credit: Marc Atkins/Getty Images
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Liverpool fans will get reality check vs Burnley
Liverpool will next take to the field on Monday evening, facing off with Barnsley in the third round of the FA Cup.
It’s something of a throwaway tie and won’t give us any real insight into whether or not the club has actually turned a corner, as Slot will most likely field a team of youngsters.
After the FA Cup, the Reds return to Premier League action on January 17, taking on Burnley at Anfield.
Don’t be surprised to see Liverpool, as they have done in every match in recent times, come with a defensive mindset and hardly create any chances, leading to fans complaining once again.
That is what Slot’s side have done in every match since the run of nine defeats in 12; the mood has just shifted this week because it was Arsenal, not a mid-table Premier League team, they did it against.
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