The manager of Liverpool, Arne Slot, downplayed the importance of their position at the top of the Premier League, despite their 3-1 victory over Leicester. Chelsea’s unexpected loss to Fulham increased their lead to seven points, with a game in hand and the halfway mark of the season quickly approaching.
However, Slot remains level-headed, even as the excitement around their chances of winning another title grows. “As someone who has been in this game for a long time, both as a player and coach, I know that with 20 games left, it’s important not to get ahead of ourselves. Injuries and bad luck can happen to any team, so it’s too early to start celebrating. Nevertheless, it’s a positive sign to be where we are,” said Slot after Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, and Mohamed Salah scored to turn the game around after Jordan Ayew’s early goal.
“We haven’t had any easy wins in any of our games. We could have had an easier win against Tottenham, but we conceded two goals and it ended up being a 5-2 result. This shows how tough it is to win, even with a full squad. That’s why we need to take it one game at a time. We’re aware of our position on the league table, but we also understand the number of games left to play.”
Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy felt his team held their own until Salah’s goal in the 82nd minute. “I believe we were in the game for a long time, fighting for a result,” he said. “The turning point was the third goal, which made it impossible for us to get a result. In the 60th minute, I remember Daka having a chance to equalize, so we were still in the game for a surprising result. Overall, we did well and did what we could. Our start with the goal was good, but after Salah’s goal, the game was over.”
Van Nistelrooy left goalkeeper Danny Ward out of the squad after his poor performance in the loss to Wolves, where he was also jeered by his own fans. “The decision to change goalkeepers was made after a conversation with Wardy, who showed an impressive level of dedication to the team and the club,” added the Dutchman. “I won’t divulge the details of our conversation, but I can say that I was impressed with his character and professionalism. It’s been tough for him, and we all know that we are not only professionals but also human beings. When frustration is directed at a single person, it can be difficult to handle.”
