Liverpool head coach Arne Slott insists the Premier League champions’ future remains bright despite their disappointing title defense.
Slott replaced Jurgen Klopp in the Anfield dugout last season and led the Reds to a record-equalling 20th top-flight title, but this season is set to be even more of a struggle for the Dutchman and his players.
Fenway Sports Group has spent an eye-watering £446m on new recruits to further strengthen Liverpool’s squad ahead of their title defence.
But going into Sunday’s game against struggling Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield, the Reds remain outside of the Champions League places, despite England set to secure five spots for next season.
Slott’s side have already lost nine times in the league this term, five more than in the entire season they won the title, making Spurs’ visit, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, a must-win match.
“I know how difficult it is to achieve what I achieved last season,” Slott said in an exclusive interview with Sky Sports.
“We played in the League Cup final and came very close to beating Paris Saint-Germain in the last 16 round (Champions League). And I think it’s fair and fair to say that this season has been much more difficult than last season.”
I am 100 percent sure that the best is yet to come, because there is individual progress and it is already happening.
Liverpool manager Arne Slott
“We still managed to win the quarter-finals of the FA Cup and the last 16 of Europe.
“And I think our team has already shown growth this season, and these players can grow even more over the next few years.”
“So, as I have said many times, the future is bright for Liverpool.”
New signing Hugo Ekitike has been one of Liverpool’s few bright spots this season.
Liverpool welcome Spurs to Anfield going into the weekend level on points with fifth-placed Chelsea, but have recently improved their form after a dreadful autumn that saw them lose nine of just 12 games in all competitions, leaving them just three points behind Aston Villa and Manchester United for the remaining Champions League spots.
But despite the Reds’ inconsistent results, losing to bottom-of-the-table Wolverhampton Wanderers in their final league game, Slott is adamant that the best team is yet to come as this group, especially the new players who arrived last summer, play more cohesively.
“We weren’t as consistent as we would have liked,” Slott admitted. “But if you look at the last two months, I think there are more positives than negatives in terms of results.
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“The one thing that sticks out to me in a negative way is the loss against Wolves two weeks ago, but we’ve also won quite a few games recently, which speaks to the growth of the team and the individuals.
“I am 100% sure that the best is yet to come because there is individual individual progress and it is already happening.
“The more time you play together, as proven around the world, successful teams usually play together longer. And that’s what we’re trying to achieve with these players as well.”
Liverpool will be desperate for a win on Sunday after losing 1-0 to Galatasaray in the Champions League last-16 first leg in midweek.
“It’s clear what we were missing that day,” Slott said. “But as a manager, sometimes it’s better to keep it to yourself and sometimes it’s better to tell the players without telling the media, because it doesn’t necessarily help me share my thoughts on the game.
“For me it is clear in every game what we have to improve on, but against Galatasaray we definitely want to have a chance to win against them.”
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Slott expects Alisson Becker to return for the Premier League game against Tottenham Hotspur, while also outlining the club’s goals for the season.
In many ways, the defeat in Istanbul summed up Liverpool’s misfire, with the visiting side squandering several chances before conceding a goal from a set piece.
“I’m not saying we’re playing the best football I’ve ever seen, but in eight out of 10 games, maybe more, we’re better than other teams,” Slott added.
“We create more chances than other teams. All the data is in our favor, but it doesn’t necessarily show in the score.
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Free to watch: Premier League Wolves vs Liverpool highlights
“Even against Galatasaray we didn’t have our best game of the season, but we had some very good chances but we couldn’t score. It happened many times this season that the first chance we conceded turned into a goal right away, and that changed the course of the game.”
“It’s usually not helpful. Apart from that, there are other things we have to discuss with the players and we need to improve more. But that’s something we’ll keep between the players for now.”
Slott is well aware that Liverpool are expected to beat unbeaten Tottenham in the league in 11 games before facing Crystal Palace on December 28, and are locked in a relegation battle with nine games remaining this season.
Slott celebrates Premier League title win in first season with Liverpool
However, with the north London club currently under caretaker manager Igor Tudor, the Dutchman believes it will be difficult to analyze the team.
“That’s very difficult for a variety of reasons,” he said. “What can we expect? First of all, they have a new manager and he has used different tactics, different set-ups in the games he has coached so far.
“Secondly, eight out of 10 teams are doing something different against us than the seven or eight games we have played before, because I am analyzing all these games and trying to prepare the players as best as possible.
Sunday, March 15th 4pm
4:30pm kickoff
“It’s common for teams to then come up with a different set-up than previous games.”
Either way, Slott & Co. know they can get away with at least three points this weekend against the Spurs team they won last season and won the title.
Watch Liverpool v Tottenham from 4pm on Sky Sports Premier League on Super Sunday. Kickoff 4:30pm
