Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has admitted his players only had “20 minutes” of training prior to facing Brighton, following a quick turnaround from midweek.
The Reds produced a lifeless performance against the Seagulls, falling to their 10th Premier League defeat of the season in limp fashion.
From the off, Liverpool looked undercooked at the Amex Stadium, having only played Galatasaray in the Champions League 64 hours earlier.
Speaking to the media before the Brighton game, Slot claimed that there was going to be little time to prepare on the training ground, given the lack of time between fixtures.
“The ones that didn’t play had a proper session,” Slot said.
“That was five players, but Rio (Ngumoha) and Trey (Nyoni) were two of the five, and we take care not to overload them.
“They only did a small part of that session.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Tuesday, March 17, 2026: Liverpool's Rio Ngumoha during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 2nd Leg match between Liverpool FC and Galatasaray A.?. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“So only Curtis (Jones), Federico (Chiesa) and Cody (Gakpo) did a finishing drill and the two goalkeepers.
“We will probably be 15 to 20 minutes on the pitch. It could be set-piece work, but also those 15 to 20 minutes are not 11 vs. 11.
“It is not that we play on a full pitch and they start to run again.”
Is tiredness an excuse for Liverpool’s defeat to Brighton?
BRIGHTON & HOVE, ENGLAND - Saturday, March 21, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Arne Slot applauds the travelling supporters after the FA Premier League match between Brighton & Hove Albion FC and Liverpool FC at the AMEX Community Stadium. The game ended 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
There is no question that Brighton were fresher than Liverpool on Saturday, having had all week to prepare for the game.
That said, it cannot be used as a big excuse for such a turgid performance – one that has been produced time and time again this season.
Liverpool’s fitness levels have been lacking throughout the campaign, hence conceding so many goals in stoppage time, and there is a constant lack of intensity on show.
The Reds have been outrun in 26 of their 30 Premier League matches in 2025/26, which speaks volumes, and it is one of many reasons for their struggles.
Liverpool may still be fighting in three competitions, but damningly, this feels like a season that needs to end, prior to a reset in the summer.
The reigning champions are anything but that, looking like a badly coached side who lack a winning mentality, and feel sorry for themselves too often.