Arne Slot couldn't stop Newcastle's momentum in the second half
Arne Slot couldn't stop Newcastle's momentum in the second half
Arne Slot reckons his side suffered Carabao Cup final defeat because they could not cope with a Newcastle aerial bombardment.
And the Liverpool boss clearly believed his rival Eddie Howe got things right by using his team’s power in the air.
“The game was slow, not intense,” said Slot. “The game went exactly the way they wanted, with a lot of duels and a lot through the air and if we play 10 games of football through the air, they win nine times … that is what led to the first goal and the second.
“We were outplayed in their style, that is true. They won more duels. It was a disappointing result, a disappointing performance, completely different to how I felt after the PSG game.”
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After the Champions League exit at the hands of PSG, Slot’s men have now lost two big games in a row but a defiant Slot was keen to remind people of Liverpool’s emphatic lead at the top of the Premier League table.
He said: “I want to make it clear that the week started really well by beating Southampton, which extended our lead to 12 points.
“We are in one of the biggest clubs in the world but it is not the first time they have lost two games in a row especially if one is when you face the best team in Europe at the moment and the other is a strong Premier League team.”
Slot with Mo Salah following the defeat
Slot with Mo Salah following the defeat ( Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Slot was also quick to shoot down the idea that Newcastle wanted it more, saying: “I don’t think there was more hunger from them. It is 70 years since they last won a trophy but that is for the fans.
“The players have 15 years to play football and they want to win every single trophy they play for and that is what we want.”
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