Arne Slot: Liverpool fc
Introduction
Liverpool’s thrilling 3-1 comeback win against Southampton at Anfield was a game of two halves. A lackluster first-half performance saw the Reds trailing at the break, but a second-half resurgence, fueled by tactical adjustments and a change in tempo, turned the tide in their favor. Head coach Arne Slot’s post-match press conference was a masterclass in honesty and insight. Here’s a detailed account of Arne Slot’s reaction, including direct quotes, as he explained what changed and how Liverpool secured the three points.
A Disappointing First Half: Arne Slot’s Honest Assessment
The first half was far from the high-energy, high-intensity football Liverpool fans have come to expect. Southampton took the lead through Will Smallbone, and the Reds struggled to create meaningful chances. Arne Slot didn’t hold back in his assessment of the opening 45 minutes.
“I didn’t give them compliments at half-time, I can tell you. Maybe it was because I was sitting up there instead of being at the line because I know from experience, not that I’ve been suspended before, that when you watch a game over there, you always feel like, ‘Maybe I can even play in this game.’ But if you are then at the line, it’s always more tempo. But I don’t think I was wrong this time if I said at half-time that energy levels were far, far, far too low. That is what had to change.” Arne Slot stated.
The Turning Point: Half-Time Changes and a Shift in Tempo
The second half was a completely different story. Liverpool came out with renewed intensity, and within three minutes, the game was turned on its head. Darwin Núñez equalized, and Mohamed Salah converted a penalty to put the Reds ahead. Salah sealed the win with another penalty late in the game.
Arne Slot’s Explanation of the Changes:
“That’s why we made three substitutions just to, apart from bringing in quality, also create something. Because nine out of 10 times when you take three out, the other eight are like, ‘Ooh, something else should happen.’ That’s the only thing I could come up with at half-time to create something different for the second half.”
On the Change in Tempo:
“In the second half, we started to play in a different tempo – not only without the ball but also with the ball. The first goal, if you look at Lucho [Luis Diaz], how he takes that one-v-one on, I don’t think I can select a clip where that happened in the first half. In the second goal, Ryan Gravenberch pushed up all the way at the 18-yard line to win that ball which led to the foul on Darwin, whereas in the first half every ball that fell out they could just pick up the ball and start to play. The energy in the stadium for the players and the fans in the second half was completely different than the first half.”
Darwin Núñez: A Mixed Bag with a Crucial Contribution
Darwin Núñez’s performance encapsulated the rollercoaster nature of the game. The Uruguayan striker missed chances in the first half, scored the equalizer, and then missed another opportunity later in the game.
Arne Slot on Núñez:
“In the end, I took him off because he was on [a] yellow, but I always hate the idea, if we need to score goals, to take someone off that can score a goal. That’s why it wasn’t in my mind to take him off because I was already planning on after these three if we don’t score a goal then [Diogo] Jota needs to come in and we have to go even more offensive.
With Cody [Gakpo] being out, it isn’t like we have that many attacking options left, so that’s why I took a certain risk of keeping him [on]. A No. 9 that is on [a] yellow is different than Kostas [Tsimikas]. I took Kostas out for that reason, because he was on yellow, and second of all, I also knew that Robbo [Andy Robertson] always creates something with his energy, with his mentality not only in the team but also with the fans.”
The Midfield Battle: Szoboszlai’s Fatigue and Elliott’s Impact
Dominik Szoboszlai, usually a tireless presence in midfield, looked off the pace in the first half. Arne Slot admitted it was the first time this season he had seen the Hungarian struggle with his energy levels.
Arne Slot on Szoboszlai:
“You didn’t select the right game, because every time I’m sitting here and talking about Dominik, I’m talking about, ‘He’s a machine. He can just keep on going, running, running, running.’ But it was maybe the first time this season that I saw a different energy from him, which is maybe normal. Maybe I made a mistake by playing him because he gives so much every single game. Now the good thing is he only played 45 [minutes], so he’s more rested for the upcoming week now than he is if I would have played him for 90.”
On Harvey Elliott’s Impact:
“He had a good impact on the game today, again a good impact on the game. That’s why he got 45 minutes today as well, because he did so well in Paris. But there is also a reason why I play so many times the other ones and all the time they deserved that trust. Today, if I could do it one more time over, I would have started differently than I started today, but you don’t know this in advance.”
Looking Ahead: Lessons for the Bigger Challenges
While the win was important, Arne Slot knows there’s still room for improvement. He compared the intensity of the game to Liverpool’s upcoming Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain, emphasizing the need to raise their level.
Arne Slot’s Thoughts on Intensity:
“No, because I know these players can come up with completely different energy levels than they came up with today in the first half. I think it was maybe the first time this season that I saw this tempo. I think Paris Saint-Germain showed us the right example; they played Lille in incredible intensity, 4-0 up at half-time and then they played against us, and that intensity I haven’t seen before in a game we’ve played this season.
When I look at the game against PSG, we need to go one step up in terms of intensity. But if I compare it with the game today, we need to go three, four, five, six, or seven steps up in terms of intensity if we want to have any chance of reaching the next round.”
Conclusion
This victory wasn’t just about tactics or individual brilliance; it was about character. Arne Slot’s honesty at half-time, the players’ response, and the fans’ unwavering support all played a part in turning the game around. As Liverpool continue their pursuit of silverware on multiple fronts, this match will serve as a reminder of what they’re capable of when they play with intensity, belief, and unity.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com