- he admitted the lack of finishing once again proved costly
- The manager said he opted to protect the player rather than risk further problems
- The manager also pointed to missed opportunities in key moments
Liverpool manager Arne Slot expressed frustration after his side failed to turn dominance into goals, despite creating numerous chances in a performance he felt showed clear progress from the previous week.
Speaking after the match, Eko Hot Blog gathered that Slot praised his players for their intensity and effort, while also crediting the Anfield crowd for helping drive the team’s high-pressing approach.
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However, he admitted the lack of finishing once again proved costly, with Liverpool underperforming their expected goals (xG) for much of the season.
“It’s another game where we create enough to score more,” he said, adding that his team had shown they could compete strongly with elite opposition such as Paris Saint-Germain, even dominating large periods but failing to convert pressure into goals.
The Dutchman also revealed concern over a potential injury to Hugo Ekitike, saying the early signs did not look positive.
He noted that Liverpool’s attacking options, including Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, had only recently begun to feature together and may now be disrupted again.
Slot confirmed that Joe Gomez was substituted at half-time not due to a confirmed injury but after the defender reported discomfort and concern about his ability to continue sprinting safely.
The manager said he opted to protect the player rather than risk further problems.
On tactical decisions, Slot explained that starting Isak was carefully planned due to fitness management and the possibility of extra time, but he ultimately limited the striker’s minutes to avoid overloading him after an earlier substitution disrupted his rotation plans.
Despite the disappointment, Slot highlighted several positive signs, including close chances for Isak and improved attacking fluidity. However, he admitted finishing remains the key issue holding the team back.
Liverpool’s frustration was compounded by another VAR decision going against them, alongside a disallowed penalty incident that Slot felt could have gone either way. Still, he insisted the result was not decided by officiating alone.
The manager also pointed to missed opportunities in key moments, noting that while young winger Rio Ngumoha came close with a strong effort, elite finishin such as a decisive strike from Ousmane Dembélé made the difference on the night.
Slot concluded by insisting there is reason for optimism, stressing that the team’s underlying performance levels suggest progress, even if results continue to fall short.
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