Arne Slot’s wait for a first trophy with Liverpool continues after Sunday’s Carabao Cup final loss to Newcastle United.
The former Feyenoord manager’s poor record in cup finals extended to three losses in four attempts as Newcastle completely outplayed Liverpool at Wembley Stadium, with Eddie Howe’s side deserved winners in the English capital.
With Jamie Carragher questioning Slot’s set-piece tactics for Liverpool on the day, it’s safe to say that this weekend was one where things just did not go right for the Reds, with Mohamed Salah also picking up a knock.
And after full-time, Slot made an interesting claim about Everton, who Liverpool play next after the March international break.
READ MORE: Gary Neville says Mohamed Salah did something he’s ‘never seen’ for Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images
Arne Slot ‘would love’ to play Everton next week after Carabao Cup loss
Speaking to the press, the Dutch manager noted how he wanted to play Everton as soon as possible, with Slot seemingly frustrated that he has to wait over two weeks before Liverpool’s next Premier League game.
With only nine matches left this season, Liverpool’s new priority will be to wrap up the Premier League title as soon as possible, with the Reds 12 points clear of Arsenal after the Gunners’ 1-0 win against Chelsea on Sunday.
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Indeed, winning the Premier League as soon as possible will be hugely beneficial for Liverpool in their planning for next season, and Slot was frustrated about how long the wait between last night’s defeat and the next fixture is for the Reds.
Slot said: “I would have loved to play next week, but now the situation is that they go to their national teams where they have to play two more games again. Then it is a week before we face Everton, who are again a team we have already faced, and we know how difficult that one was.”
Who do Liverpool face after the March international break?
Liverpool’s status as Premier League champions could be confirmed in the next few games depending on how the Anfield side and Arsenal perform, with a miracle needed if the north London side are to catch up with the Merseyside giants.
And looking at Liverpool’s next five fixtures, there’s reason to believe that Slot could wrap up the title in this period of the season, with the Reds likely to be confident in getting wins in every single upcoming game.
Indeed, Thierry Henry has backed Liverpool to not throw away the Premier League even after Sunday’s humbling loss to Newcastle, and the Reds will want to return to league action with a bang against Everton next month.