Arne Slot, Liverpool and Arsenal badges (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)
Liverpool manager Arne Slot held a press conference ahead of Thursday night’s Premier League game against Arsenal.
The Dutch expert spoke to reporters about Hugo Ekitike’s fitness and other important issues ahead of this big game and we have the full transcript below, along with a video from our YouTube channel.
Read Slot’s press conference in full…
Arne Slot press conference before Arsenal vs Liverpool
To Hugo Ekitike…
He has never trained with us until now, let’s see if he can do it today. I already said two/three days ago that he won’t be out for long but the games are coming fast so he is in the middle of the team and it might take him one or two more days.
Nine games unbeaten, we have drawn two of the most, Leeds and this game, Fulham, in terms of when we conceded a goal. We are not where we want to be but we have a talented team and if everyone is available we can do special things. We have shown that this season we won in an admirable way but we also had a draw or a defeat in an admirable way, so we did not have consistency. Consistency has never been there this season.
On the importance of the Arsenal game
The most important thing in this game, we have a lot to play for in the PL, but also in the FA Cup and the Champions League and they are knockout games, where you can face teams like Arsenal and for that reason it is important to see where we are in one game against the very good Arsenal, they were much better than in previous years.
Arsenal’s strengths? It’s interesting that they have so many, maybe that’s it! They don’t have many weaknesses, they can concede, open play, set-pieces, good formation, long balls, they have a complete load and they deserve to be at the top this season.
What it means to win
It can mean a lot, it tells you that you can compete in the later stages with any other team. We have shown that of course, we have beaten Arsenal at home and in other games we have beaten strong teams but we also know that it is a special game for them, we have to be ready, they are in a good mood right now and obviously we are not. Everyone, I think, is looking forward to this. It’s always good to be part of games with Arsenal, Man City, Real Madrid…
Could it still be a special season? That’s right. This team has shown many times when they don’t have the best league form they can still win the cup. It always happens because we have a good and talented team, we have shown this this season.
Real Madrid, Atletico, Aston Villa – look at their run – we have shown that we can compete with almost all teams. Maybe different but that was rejected, City away. All the other games we were competing with everyone but we didn’t have the strength against the teams we usually beat. So we are 14 behind Arsenal and we have players out but we have enough to go there and make it a proper game.
On the transfer of Marc Guehi
Vinny is always asking about money transfers! You know I’m not talking about public referrals! It doesn’t help with that question. We are not talking about players that are not ours.
In the match at Anfield
We watch that game [at Anfield in August] but that was the start, with new players from both teams, we did well defensively in that game and you need to do well defensively to have a chance to win it. Yes, the fans help, but our away fans will be a big help for us too.
We watch that game in August but Arsenal have played a few more since then. Under Mikel, it’s the same with other new things but we can expect the same team and style of play. Their fans will be watching. They are top, amazing team and manager, so they are looking forward to this but we are also looking forward to it.
By agreement
It’s annoying because you think it’s harder to play the best teams in the world than the teams that don’t follow the league or CL titles. Last 9 games, people liked our Aston Villa and Brighton games. I can tell you why but I don’t make the enemies smarter, we have to find a way to find the answer.
Because it’s a joy to watch
Against Fulham I don’t think people thought it was fun to watch. Against PSG, it was for me. People told me we needed more passes, the second goal v Fulham it was 17 passes we needed before we scored.
I find it hard to hear [we’re boring] but it’s not that I disagree, I’m going to use a different word but I’m considering it. I am known for attacking football and we are still trying to do that, but handling the ball does not mean playing attacking football, we strive to create a lot of chances but I have said many times that we are not a struggling team. I don’t think we are building less than other teams that are doing well.
But I don’t like to hear it [we’re boring] because I want to play an attractive style of football. We have to find a way to play against teams that don’t want to and that’s something we haven’t found enough. We work on this every day.
To Harvey Elliott
If you want to ask about a Villa player, ask Unai Emery. Liverpool have no recall option.
Deep in the group
First of all, I’m happy with the squad we have, along with myself, Richard Hughes and the ownership. This team has talent when everyone is available, there is nothing good about injuries but maybe if I think about the narrative that there is always someone we spend a lot of time in the summer. No, we changed and spent more money than we came in. No one wanted to hear it, but maybe it’s the first time that people have seen that we have released some very good players.
So even the last game and before I touch the bench, Frimpong with the help and the starters are amazing footballers, so this club is in a very good place if everyone is available. Short futures and medium and long term futures.
Medium options back
Am I happy with the number of options? Joe Gomez is back now, great help. There is no manager in the world who tells you that he is happy that only 2 are eligible but we have Leoni, an amazing talent, who is back next season.
As has been said about the use of money, it is not that there is no limit to that use. This club always tries to do sensible things. In an ideal world you have more than 2 middle halves but you have to accept that situation. I know Jurgen Klopp also had problems there and played midfielders there sometimes. Nat Phillips played great! So that was LFC all these years.
