The Merseyside club Vows Not to Abandon Forward-Thinking Philosophy Amid Poor Run of Form, Says Head Coach Slot
Arne Slot has stated that the club's hierarchy agree with his assessment regarding the team's slump and he will not abandon their forward-thinking philosophy in search of a solution. The head coach conceded that six defeats in seven matches was below standard ahead of Aston Villa's visit.
Increasing Scrutiny Throughout Tough Spell
The manager acknowledged the scrutiny was intense before his rotated squad were eliminated from the Carabao Cup against the London club. However, he insisted that this need to reverse the decline is not coming from the club's ownership or football administration following a summer transfer outlay of nearly ÂŁ450 million.
"They say similar things," commented the manager, whose side will meet Los Blancos in the continental tournament and play against Manchester City in the English top flight.
Squad Quality Stays Unchallenged
The coach is convinced his team "boast a remarkable roster if they are completely available and fully prepared for the fixture list". He noted that the recent signings in talents including the German international and Alexander Isak, who is expected to be sidelined again against Villa through physical problems, had left the club "in a strong situation for the short-term future and the distant prospects".
Team Cohesion Issues
When pressed on why his team were taking so long to gel, he replied: "That's not particularly helpful. 'Why, why, why?' I offer insights and people say I'm making justifications. I can come up with several explanations why we are struggling for victories or losing as much as we do but, as I always emphasize, there are never enough excuses to have a run of form as we had now."
- Even if I could come up with numerous reasons
- As Liverpool manager you must avoid losses
- The reality is six losses from seven matches
Backline Performance
Only the Clarets (twenty-one) have conceded more clear opportunities from open play this season than Slot's team (19). The first-place team, the Gunners, have conceded only two. Yet Slot denies the champions have been too open and maintains there is no basis to abandon offensive philosophy for a more pragmatic style after 10 games without a goalless performance.
"From my perspective we don't allowing many opportunities so I don't see a reason to alter our approach completely but we have to enhance in preventing goals," he stated.
Recent Examples
"Versus the Red Devils, how many opportunities did we allow? Against Eintracht Frankfurt when we were 3-1 up, we scarcely gave up a effort at our net. In each fixture we played until now we haven't given up a numerous openings. Absolutely not. We do give away a slightly more than the prior term but that has to do with us being trailing by a goal so you play more openly. But in general I don't believe that our issue is that we give up too many openings. Our problem is we are unable to finish the openings we produce."