Arne Slot has delivered a candid message to Liverpool fans: not every match will be a masterpiece.
The Dutch boss believes perfection remains unrealistic in modern football.
After recent nervy games, Slot admitted that Liverpool cannot display fantastic football every week. The Reds showed clear signs of fatigue in matches against Everton and Wolves.
Liverpool’s recent form has raised concerns. They exited the FA Cup after a loss to Plymouth. They drew 2-2 at Everton and secured a narrow 2-1 win over Wolves at Anfield. These results underline their inconsistency.
The upcoming clash against Aston Villa carries huge importance. A victory could move Liverpool 10 points clear at the top. A defeat would let Arsenal cut the gap to four points against West Ham on Saturday. Liverpool then faces a challenging trip to Manchester City just 24 hours later.
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Drawing on his Feyenoord title-winning experience, Slot stressed that even top teams do not play spectacular football every match. He explained that top teams win 20 to 25 games. They endure a few mediocre outings and occasionally suffer poor performances. Results matter more than constant brilliance.
Slot cited fatigue as a factor in Liverpool’s struggle against Wolves. He noted that the team did not produce any shots on target in the second half. Slot compared this effort with their work rate against Everton and observed similar intensity despite setbacks at Goodison Park.
Liverpool faces personnel challenges ahead. Midfielder Curtis Jones returns after serving a suspension following his red card against Everton. Meanwhile, Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez remain sidelined. Gomez may miss the rest of the season due to a hamstring injury that might require surgery.
Slot also praised the quality of Manchester United loanees. He expects Marcus Rashford, now at Aston Villa on loan, to flourish. He believes his quality will shine after being frozen out by Ruben Amorim. Slot noted that Antony is making his mark at Real Betis. The Reds now prepare to host seven of their remaining 11 fixtures at Anfield. This schedule boost could prove crucial for their campaign.