Image source: Liverpool fc
Arne Slot cut a calm but frustrated figure in his post-match press conference after Liverpool’s dramatic 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. A stoppage-time strike from Estevao handed the hosts victory, leaving the Reds empty-handed at the end of a hard-fought Premier League contest.
Cody Gakpo had brought Liverpool level in the second half after Moises Caicedo’s early opener, but just as it seemed the visitors would leave London with a point, Estevao struck in the 96th minute to seal the win for Chelsea.
Speaking after the match, Slot shared his honest thoughts on the performance, addressed Liverpool’s ongoing search for consistency, and provided an update on Ibrahima Konate’s injury.
“Another Disappointing Loss”
Slot began by acknowledging the disappointment of another narrow defeat, comparing the game to the recent loss against Crystal Palace.
“Another disappointing loss. That’s clear,” he said. “Another game similar to the Palace game, although the game was completely different because of the way both teams play. But not similar in terms of chances, because this time we created three big chances in the first half and they only had one and they scored it.”
Liverpool’s start was bright, but once again they were punished for not taking their chances early. Caicedo’s long-range strike put Chelsea ahead, and despite Liverpool’s improvements after the break, it wasn’t enough.
“In the second half, like in the Palace game, I liked what I saw,” Slot continued. “We created more than enough chances to score more than one goal last week and today. There was a period where I felt we were going to win it. We had chances, and moments where we had four versus three in our favour, but didn’t make the final pass count. In the last ten minutes, it was end-to-end. Both teams could have won it. We didn’t, and Chelsea did.”
Searching for Balance
When asked if his team was still searching for balance, Slot explained that high-pressing football always comes with risks, especially against a side like Chelsea who also look to press and play out from the back.
“I think if you play the style we play a high press and Chelsea play a high press too, it would be unrealistic to think that they’d never play through us,” he said. “You come here knowing they have injuries, and you think that might be an advantage, but they still had strong options from the bench.”
Slot admitted that both sides managed to break each other’s press at times, but that’s part of what makes games like these so unpredictable and intense.
Salah and Isak Beginning to Connect
A positive takeaway for Liverpool was the growing connection between Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak. Slot said he’s seen signs that their understanding is improving with every match.
“The more they play together, the more they will connect,” he explained. “You could see that especially after Konate had to come off. When Ryan Gravenberch came in and started playing in that deeper role, we were able to get our attackers in better situations.”
He went on to say that the issue in the first half wasn’t about chemistry between the forwards but rather about Liverpool’s buildup play.
“The first half was mainly about improving our buildup. In the second half, we did that better, and that’s why we created so many good chances.”
Building Towards His Ideal Team
When asked how close he feels to building the team he envisions, Slot was realistic but optimistic.
“I think you are never close to your ideal,” he said. “You have to work really hard to reach a certain level, and even then it’s difficult to maintain it because you’re playing against very good teams every week.”
He also noted the challenges that come with transition and limited training time.
“It’s clear we had a lot of changes in the summer, with players coming in at different times. We haven’t had much training time together. If the result had been a draw or a win today which was possible we’d be talking about a really good start to the season, considering everything that’s happened since the summer.”
On Rotating the Defence and Konate’s Heavy Workload
Liverpool’s defensive rotation has been a topic of discussion in recent weeks, and Slot was asked about his decision-making in that area. He admitted that balancing player fitness and match demands is one of his biggest challenges.
“How you can do this it’s not so easy,” he said. “If I rotate against Galatasaray, people complain that I rotate. So yes, it’s a risk.”
He pointed out that Konate’s recent workload has been significant.
“He’s played three games in about seven or eight days, including a long flight to and from Turkey. That’s tough. But you have to balance it. Against Palace, we needed big, strong defenders to deal with long balls. Against Chelsea away, you also need that strength.”
Slot revealed that when Liverpool were trailing 1-0, he took a calculated risk by moving Gravenberch into defense to create more from the back.
Konate Injury Update
The most worrying moment of the evening came when Ibrahima Konate was forced off just before the hour mark. Slot confirmed that the defender felt discomfort in his quadriceps and was removed as a precaution.
“I don’t know if it’s a big injury,” Slot said. “What I do know is he limped a little, and when I asked him, he said he felt his quad. For me, all alarm bells go off at that point. You never know how the next sprint will go.”
He added that the substitution had been planned anyway, but the injury concern made the decision clear.
“It was already a change I had in mind, maybe a few minutes later, because the right centre-back had a lot of ball possession and we needed to create from that position. Ryan Gravenberch is good at that. Hopefully, it’s nothing serious, but it was the right call to take him off when he was limping.”
Konate will undergo further assessment in the coming days to determine the severity of the issue.
Salah’s Sharpness and Missed Chances
Salah was heavily involved in Liverpool’s attacking play, but it wasn’t his night in front of goal. Slot was asked if the Egyptian is missing his usual cutting edge.
“That’s interesting,” Slot said with a slight smile. “Did he create so many chances because he didn’t play during the week? Or did he miss them because he lacked sharpness from not playing? We’ll never know.”
He added, “What I like is that we got him into the positions he loves to be in. He’s shown in his career that when he’s there, he can score goals. He had a lot of those situations today, and even though it didn’t happen this time, I’m not worried. He’s human. He’s scored so many goals for us, but no one scores every single chance.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointment, Slot tried to keep perspective. Liverpool have faced a demanding start to the season, and while results have been mixed, the performances have shown promise.
“We’re building something here,” he said. “It takes time, and consistency is the hardest part to achieve in football. But we’re on the right track.”
Liverpool will now use the international break to regroup and recover, with a particular focus on Konate’s fitness and the team’s defensive structure. When domestic action resumes, the Reds will look to turn performances like this one into results.
Conclusion
The mood around Stamford Bridge was one of frustration and missed opportunity for Liverpool. They fought back bravely, created chances, and showed glimpses of the attacking fluidity that Slot wants but once again, the final moments went against them.
As the international break arrives, Slot’s men have time to reflect, reset, and return sharper. For now, the focus will be on recovery, improvement, and finding that balance that turns narrow defeats into victories.
🔴Find the Latest News on Player Ratings | Transfers | Prematch | Postmatch
Thank you for your continued support, and let’s cheer Liverpool on to success in the upcoming match. Your thoughts are always welcome in the comments section. For further insights, you may explore the official Liverpool FC website by clicking here.
YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com