Arne Slot bemoaned the absence of Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch in their late win over Bournemouth on Friday night.
Liverpool were comfortable as they went two goals up at Anfield in their Premier League opener through new signing Hugo Ekitike and then Cody Gakpo.
But a fine brace by Antoine Semenyo stunned Liverpool as Bournemouth looked set for a surprise point. Slot had replaced some of his bigger names throughout the second half, so he was buoyed when substitute Federico Chiesa slammed in a winner.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield
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Mohamed Salah sealed the win on the break late on, giving Liverpool a winning start to their title defence, yet Slot was more concerned with how his midfield performed.
Arne Slot admits Liverpool doubts and points to Ryan Gravenberch absence
Arne Slot made a point of reminding reporters of the players Liverpool have lost this summer as he looks to control expectations at Anfield.
As Bournemouth overran the Liverpool midfield for parts of the second half on Friday, Slot said Ryan Gravenberch’s presence in the game would have helped his side. Gravenberch was suspended after his red card in the final game of last season.
Liverpool v Athletic Club Bilbao - Pre-Season Friendly
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Slot said: “We do have players that are looking maybe for a final pass or a difficult solution in the end phase of an attack a little bit more, because they also have these passes that we didn’t have last season.
“And probably I’m not talking about a player we lost, but I do talk about a player that was not available last week and is available this week, and as Ryan Gravenberch, who was last season very, very important in these moments as well.”
Arne Slot predicts Liverpool improvement after Bournemouth win
Continuing, Slot said that Alexis Mac Allister is still not at full fitness, while forward Hugo Ekitike is doing well on the fitness front after his move from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Ekitike lasted 70 minutes and Slot said that was a positive return from his new striker, and pointed to the return of Gravenberch as an instant improvement to his midfield.
Arne Slot shouting instructions during a Liverpool game
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“So with Mac Allister only being back two or three weeks in preseason, we lost a little bit of that control in our midfield,” Slot said.
“But Ryan will be back next week, and Macca will be fitter again, and we need to find a better balance in taking the risk.”
If Slot can find that balance, the new signings will integrate quicker and Liverpool’s title defence will be stronger.