Slot: We can’t cope with long ball teams as he admits Liverpool can’t also deal with clubs with low blocks
Following Liverpool’s impressive start to the new season which saw them defeat Arsenal in their second match, the Reds have now lost four matches in a row.
During the last defeat against Brentford, Liverpool were outplayed and outclassed by resilient opponents who threw in convincing performance to ensure the Reds fall to their fourth defeat.
Liverpool, the current Premier League Champions, had a busy summer. They made high-profile signings and broke the British record twice in the purchase of Florian Wirtz from Bayer Leverkusen and Alexander Isak from Newcastle respectively.
“Quite a few things,” Slot responded in his post-match press conference when asked what was the cause for Liverpool’s current struggles.
“It is definitely that teams have a certain playing style against us; it is a very good strategy to play. We have not found an answer yet.
“Going 1-0 down does not help after five minutes. We are still, even today, when we don’t play well, able to score two goals.
Unlike Of Liverpool
Current Liverpool side have now been defeated in as many English Premier League fixtures this current campaign as they were in the whole of a previous season (four).
But the Reds’ coach is finally admitting that his team cannot challenge if the run of disappointing results does not change. He noted that it is so impossible for the club to mount a title challenge if they continue to concede goals as they do.
“But you cannot compete, which we don’t do at the moment, because we concede too many goals. That is not only the defence you do it with 11 players together.”
Slot also admitted that Liverpool’s business in the summer transfer window, which saw them spend a record-breaking £446m on six new signings, has played a part in their slow start to the campaign, with the club now in sixth place.
“It has something to do with when you change a lot in the summer. I did not expect it to go with four losses in a row,” he added.
We Can’t Cope With Long Ball Teams ─ Slot
We Trained Against Long Throw-ins ─Slot
Liverpool coach Arne Slot and his team were spotted training throughout Friday against Brentford’s long throw-ins, but their efforts were not enough as Brentford scored their first goal from, courtesy Kayode’s long throw just five minutes into the game.
When asked if he prepared his team for long throw-ins during his post-match conference, Slot said: “Yeah, it’s the only thing we did yesterday on the training pitch, preparing for that and the meeting today.”
The Reds’ boss also conceded that he was so concerned about threat Brentford might pose on the counter-attack, through which Brentford’s Kevin Schade extended their lead to 2-0 before the half-time after he was made clear on goal to slot his shot past Liverpool goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvilli.
Prior to the second goal, Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate was spotted trailing Schade before he netted the second for Brentford on the evening.
“That’s not the only thing we prepared them for because Brentford are also known for very good set-pieces,” he continued.
“They are also known for a fantastic counter-attack and that was their second goal and I think at this moment in time, that’s why it should never be seen as an excuse.”
Basic issues now finding their ways into Liverpool dressing room as questions are being asked over Arne Slot’s credentials to sail the club into gloryland.
Many pundit and football analysts have aired their concerns over slums Liverpool have found themselves in recent weeks and questions if he really is the man for the job.
Many also begin to dampen his ability by saying that he could only win the Premiership last season due to a well-structured and assembled team he inherited from his German predecessor, Jurgen Klopp.
Despite making reference to throw-ins as part of his team’s problems, Slot did not hesitate to excuse that long throw-ins were not the sole reason his team walked away without a point after ninety minutes at Brentford.
While their susceptibility in the air and openness in transitions will take most of the spotlight, Liverpool also got the fundamentals wrong at the Gtech.
“Today, I don’t think we did the basics right,” Slot said.
“Too many duels were lost, too many second balls weren’t won.
“That was the first time in the last four games. That was the main thing that we have to improve.
“As always, what I have to do is look at what we did wrong and what we did well. Today, I have a clear idea of what we have to improve. That has not always been the same situation in the other games.
“Every time a different problem has cost us the game.”
Statistically, Liverpool are struggling due to misfiring of Mo Salah and underperformance of summer recruits in Floran Wirtz and Alex Isak who were purchased with British-record fees.
Much is expected from the Reds following the success of last season. Though departures of key player in Luis Diaz and demise of their super-impact player, Diogo Jota, who died in an autocrash, along with his brother in Spain, on 3rd July, 2025.
It remains to be seen if Liverpool will rediscover the impressive form which won them the Premier League Trophy last season.
We Can’t Cope With Long Ball Teams ─ Slot
