Slot: “[Liverpool] Definitely Not Perfect Yet”

Arne Slot’s post-title Liverpool are certainly a work in progress. After a rough 6 week period, Liverpool are back to bringing in the results. And after Saturday’s 2-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in London,

the Reds are unbeaten in 6 and owners of a 3 match winning streak. Things are certainly looking up.

For Slot, though, there’s still work to be done. When speaking to reporters after the match, the Dutchman was keen to point out that while things are improving, the team isn’t quite at the level to be able to rest on any laurels.

“Of course we are happy with [the result moving Liverpool closer to the top four]. But when we started the season, it wasn’t as if I was thrilled and completely happy when we were top four. We’re always aiming for the best possible and, after a very good start we had, we were disappointed with the run of results we had afterwards. But I think you’ve said it, we are now maybe on equal points for top four, I don’t exactly know. But don’t forget, in the Champions League we’ve done quite well with a very difficult draw. I see a lot of teams that hardly have a point but we haven’t faced them. So, I think it’s never been as bad as people said, but it’s also true that we are definitely not perfect yet. But we knew this when we made so many changes in the summer that it would take time. Maybe because we won the first five or six games, everybody thought this would just go so easily. But as a club, ownership, Richard [Hughes], Michael [Edwards], all the other people, knew that change could, could, could also go with different results – and that has shown to be true.”

Liverpool’s win helped move them into 5th with it looking likely that they might be able to hold onto that spot through the weekend. It is a big step given the Liverpool were down at mid-table and, briefly, slightly below even that, through November. Now, the team is clearly starting to bank results and remind folks of the quality within this squad.

But even with a softer schedule and the improved play, it isn’t all smooth sailing for the Reds given a deep injury list and the fact that the team basically needs to continue to take max points to make-up the ground they lost during their collective dip in form. Speaking on the injuries to Conor Bradley and Alexander Isak, Slot underscored that he hadn’t had a chance to connect with Isak, and noted that he had a feeling it wouldn’t be great news.

“I don’t have any news on him, but if a player scores, then gets injured and then doesn’t come back on the pitch and doesn’t try to come back… which Conor Bradley, for example, did, but I had to take him off as well because he couldn’t go on, but if a player doesn’t even try to come back that’s usually not a good thing. But I cannot say anything more than that, that is just [a] gut feeling. Nothing medical to say about it.”

Liverpool will have a week to try and see if they can get a few folks closer to full health. Joe Gomez, in particular, would be helpful to have back if Conor Bradley is unavailable. And, of course, everyone around the training ground will be holding out hope that Alexander Isak won’t be away from the team for too long.

Still, even with these challenges, Liverpool will be on the hunt for all three points. Here’s hoping that Slot and Co. will be able to bring home a post-holiday gift for all Reds next week.