Arne Slot says there are “no excuses” for Liverpool’s poor form and insists “there is no other option” but to put it right, starting tonight against Crystal Palace.
The Premier League champions slipped to seventh in the table following Saturday night’s 3-2 defeat at Brentford – their fourth successive loss in the top flight.
It has been a remarkable fall from grace for Liverpool, particularly after a summer of heavy spending on the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
No option but to put things right – Slot
And Slot is determined to right the wrongs of the past few weeks.
Writing in his programme notes for tonight’s EFL Cup fourth-round tie against Palace, he said: “It goes without saying that our recent form has not reached the standards that you expect of us or that we expect of ourselves. This is, of course, a major disappointment, especially given the positive start we made to the season.
“From our perspective, there are no excuses. Yes, we are aware of the reasons and we will discuss them, but the one thing we cannot and will not do is use them as an excuse. Our responsibility is to recognise what is happening and put things right. There is no other option.
“Part of this process involves being hurt. We should be hurt by results like Saturday’s when we lost to Brentford, and we should use the feelings this creates to further fuel our motivation. Not that anyone could accuse the players of a lack of effort – if anything, the opposite is true – but how we use this effort and desire is what will make the difference.”
We need to impose our game on opponents
Liverpool have looked surprisingly shaky at the back during recent outings with a new trend of direct football sweeping through the English game. But Slot accepts the Reds need to adapt, and quickly, if they are to get their season back on track.
The Dutchman added: “There has been a lot of discussion about the direction that football has taken in England this season and while this kind of conversation is totally normal, we have to show that not only can we deal with these changes but also that we impose our game on our opponents.
“Again, I would be the first to admit that this has not happened enough up to now and we take responsibility for this. At the same time, I do not doubt either the determination or the ability of us to respond in the right way as a team. Saying that is the easy part, though. Now we have to show it.”
