Arne Slot (foto: Getty Images)
As Liverpool prepare for their Premier League matchup against Brighton on Saturday, they find themselves just a single point behind leaders Manchester City.
Liverpool have had a stellar start to the season across all competitions, winning 12 of their 14 matches and advancing to the League Cup quarter-finals. Their only setback has been a solitary loss, but confidence remains high under head coach Arne Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp.
In a pre-match press conference on Friday, Slot spoke about the learning curve with his new team as they push for success on four different fronts. "You learn every day, especially if you are not as long with the team as I am," he shared. "The Chelsea game showed me their ability to defend a lead, and the way they came back against Arsenal demonstrated their resilience." Liverpool fought back for a 2-2 draw against Arsenal, a testament to their grit and determination this season.
Slot also highlighted the crucial role of Liverpool’s fringe players in their recent 3-2 League Cup victory over Brighton. "We will need them during the whole season," he emphasized, adding that rotating players has been necessary given the packed fixture schedule. "It was a good moment for the others to play," Slot said of the League Cup tie, "because I felt they were better able to win that game for us than the ones that have already played so many games."
Slot made it clear that Liverpool aim to compete for every available trophy, particularly the League Cup, which they currently hold. "We want to win every game, we want to compete for every trophy, especially if it's one we have to defend," he said. The FA Cup will also be on the agenda come January, with Slot acknowledging the importance of domestic trophies to Liverpool’s season ambitions.
In terms of injuries, Slot confirmed that goalkeeper Alisson Becker, recent signing Federico Chiesa, and forward Diogo Jota will all be sidelined until after the November international break. No precise return dates have been set, but the team remains focused on performing despite these key absences.