Manager Arne Slott says Liverpool have already made “too many” mistakes and there is no room for mistakes in the Premier League as he prepares his team for a crucial test against Newcastle.
The Reds beat Qarabag 6-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday to book their place in the last 16, but remain sixth in the top flight ahead of Saturday’s game at Anfield.
Victory in midweek will be a welcome boost for Liverpool, who suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Bournemouth in their last league match, but Slott insists they cannot afford to make mistakes if they want to secure a top-four place this season.
Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister celebrates after scoring his team’s fifth goal
“We already considered every period extremely important, and that hasn’t changed,” he said at the pre-match press conference.
“The closer you get to the end, the less opportunity you have to make a mistake. We’re in a position now where we can’t afford to make a mistake. We made too many mistakes.”
“Conceding a goal at the last minute doesn’t judge the performance at all. There’s not much margin for error anymore.”
“Every game is important, but every game is more important because of the position we’re playing in now. That’s what we want to achieve (top four),” Slott added.
“We’ve seen how tough it is to play against Newcastle, it’s always tough but it’s the same for Newcastle.
“Home games at Anfield are always fun.”
Liverpool do not have a recognized right-back.
Liverpool will be without a confirmed right-back against Newcastle after Slott confirmed Jeremy Frimpong, who limped off during the win over Qarabag, will join Conor Bradley on the sideline.
“He definitely won’t be in the team tomorrow,” Slott added.
Liverpool’s Jeremy Frimpong leaves injured early in the first half
“He’ll be out for a few weeks, but it’s not as bad as we first thought. So something positive is coming out of something that wasn’t so positive.”
Asked on Monday if Frimpong’s injury could prompt a reinforcement before the January transfer window closes, Slott remained tight-lipped about any potential investment.
He added: “I think we know the answer. The answer is, I think the players are going to help us and if we think it’s possible, then we will. Those conversations don’t happen in this room.”
“I gave the answer I gave. If it means more or less likely, so be it. Monday might be a quiet day. Do you want to play golf?”
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Liverpool manager Arne Slott has highlighted the impact of Jeremy Frimpong’s injury and stressed the club must make “wise” decisions in the transfer market.
Jones and Konate return, but who will play right back?
Wataru Endo came on as a temporary full-back in the win over Qarabag, but Slott had previously used both Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai in that position.
Jones is available after recovering from his illness, but Joe Gomez remains sidelined. “Curtis is available, Joe is not, but it won’t be for long,” Slott said.
Regarding Ibrahima Konate, who was away from the team on compassionate leave, he added: “We trained together yesterday (Thursday) and he will join the team tomorrow (Saturday).”
Slott then provided an update on Alexander Isak’s recovery after breaking his foot in December, admitting it would still be “a while” before he returns to the pitch.
“He hasn’t even been on the pitch yet. I think it’s called a walker. He’s just come out of a walker,” the Dutchman said.
“It shows that he is not on the pitch and is not expected to be on the pitch today or tomorrow. As we know, it will be a while before he returns.”
