Liverpool manager Arne Slot has urged his players to rediscover their cutting edge in front of goal after a 2–1 defeat to Manchester United at Anfield extended the Reds’ losing streak to four consecutive matches in all competitions.
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A game that began disastrously for Liverpool saw Bryan Mbeumo give United the lead inside the opening two minutes, capitalising on a loose defensive moment to silence the home crowd. Liverpool responded strongly, dominating possession and creating a succession of chances before finally equalising through Cody Gakpo late in the second half. But the Reds were undone again by a set-piece, as Harry Maguire rose highest to head home the winner and secure victory for Erik ten Hag’s side.
The defeat leaves Liverpool struggling for form in a crucial stretch of the season and raises further questions about the side’s defensive organisation and finishing efficiency under Slot’s early tenure.
Early Goal Proved Costly
Speaking to reporters after the match, Slot said the timing of United’s opener had a major impact on the team’s approach.
“The last thing you want against a United team that sits deep and plays long is to go 1–0 down so early,” he said. “It gives them belief, and that makes it a much more difficult game.”
Despite the setback, Liverpool dominated for long periods. According to official statistics, they enjoyed 63.5% possession, won more duels, and earned nine corner kicks compared to United’s four. However, wasteful finishing proved decisive once again.
“If you had told me before the game that we’d create eight, nine or even ten open chances against a side like United, I would have said that’s almost impossible — but it happened,” Slot continued. “The problem is that from all those chances, we only scored once.”
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Slot acknowledged that set-pieces remain a vulnerability, pointing out that conceding from dead-ball situations has been a recurring issue.
“It’s almost impossible to win big games with a negative set-piece balance,” he admitted. “That’s what cost us today.”
Mac Allister’s Head Injury Controversy
The Liverpool manager was also asked about United’s first goal, which came moments after Alexis Mac Allister went down clutching his head following a collision. Slot refused to blame the officials but stressed the importance of player welfare.
“Macca needed four stitches, and that should always mean immediate treatment,” Slot said. “But that’s not the reason we lost — we could have done better in that moment.”
He also emphasised that Liverpool are known for their fair play.
“We’re not a team that goes down pretending. So when one of our players is genuinely hurt, you’d hope the game stops. But again, that’s no excuse for the result.”
Confidence Remains Despite Losing Run
With Liverpool now suffering four defeats in a row, questions have naturally arisen about the team’s confidence. Slot, however, believes the performances have been encouraging despite the results.
“Every game we’ve lost, we’ve created a huge amount of chances,” he explained. “If we keep playing like this and improve in a few small details, the wins will come. It’s frustrating, but not hopeless.”
He also reflected on the constant challenges that come with managing a club of Liverpool’s stature.
“Being a football manager means facing challenges every week,” he said. “When you replace someone like Jürgen Klopp, people say it’s the biggest challenge of your career. When you lose four in a row, that’s another challenge. But that’s the job.”
Set-Piece Issues and Attacking Balance
Slot revealed that Liverpool’s attacking substitutions may have affected their defensive structure late in games.
“After 55 minutes we had six or seven offensive players on the pitch,” he noted. “When you take more risks, you leave space and lose some balance defending set-pieces. It’s not an excuse, but maybe not a coincidence that we’ve conceded from those moments.”
The Dutch coach added that while the team’s attacking intent is positive, it must be matched by discipline at the back.
Injury Update and Player Form
Ryan Gravenberch was withdrawn in the second half after twisting his ankle, and Slot confirmed the midfielder’s condition would be assessed ahead of Wednesday’s fixture.
Asked about Mohamed Salah’s form, Slot defended the forward’s recent displays but admitted that the entire team must be more clinical.
“It’s not about individuals right now,” he said. “We’re creating more than anyone in open play, but we’re not converting. You can’t win Premier League games without taking your chances.”
Statistical Overview
| Statistic | Liverpool | Man Utd |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 63.5% | 36.5% |
| Duels Won | 53.1% | 46.9% |
| Aerial Duels | 53.8% | 46.2% |
| Interceptions | 5 | 6 |
| Corners | 9 | 4 |
| Final Score | 1 | 2 |
Slot’s Final Thoughts
Slot concluded his remarks by calling for composure and sharper finishing in the coming fixtures.
“Maybe it’s better to create fewer chances and score more,” he said. “We’re doing a lot right, but at the moment, it’s not enough. We must learn quickly and start turning our dominance into victories.”
With Liverpool still among the Premier League’s most creative sides but struggling to convert their chances, Slot’s focus now shifts to halting the losing streak and restoring momentum ahead of a packed fixture schedule.
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