Arne Slot urges caution over Liverpool’s brilliant early defensive record as he gives one reason why it’s premature to heap praise on his side
- The Reds have won four of their first five Premier League games, conceding just one goal.
- Slot is happy with the way things have started, but believes bigger tests are coming
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Arne Slot has called for caution over Liverpool’s excellent early defence and believes the side benefited from a long fixture list.
Liverpool have taken 12 points from their opening five games and have conceded the only Premier League goal they have scored in the 11 days since Callum Hudson-Odoi set up Nottingham Forest to win at Anfield. AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic is the only other player to break through Slot’s defence.
One aspect of Liverpool’s performance under their new manager is the control they have shown for a long time. Slot counters that observation, however, by suggesting that it was an inspirational performance from goalkeeper Caoimhim Kelleher that ensured they kept a clean sheet against Bournemouth.
Slot, whose team are defending the Carabao Cup against West Ham at Anfield, is pleased with the start but is confident that the true assessment of Liverpool’s capabilities will only become apparent at the end of next month, after the games against Chelsea and Arsenal.
The head coach said: ‘I looked at the league table and (thought) “Okay, what teams have we played so far and what position are they in? Are they in the top half or the bottom? Most of them are in the bottom half of the table, so you have to take that into account.
Arne Slot has urged caution over Liverpool’s excellent early defensive record in the league
Liverpool have won four of their first five Premier League games, conceding just one goal
“There are many difficult teams we have to beat. After West Ham we go for two difficult away games (Wolves and Crystal Palace) let’s see where we are in terms of conceding goals.
“Maybe the schedule has been ‘nice’ to us. Of the five games we’ve played, three have been at home.”
A hallmark of Liverpool’s defensive form has been Trent Alexander-Arnold’s consistency. The right-back explained after the 3-0 how quickly he has built up a bond with the Dutchman and how he wants to reach new heights under him.
“It’s not like we or I have taught him how to defend in the last three months,” Slot said. “He’s won the league and he’s won the Champions League, so it’s about making him understand everything that’s needed to play the best game possible.
‘We talk about that with all individuals, but also with him.’
The Carabao Cup offers Slot the chance to change his team and he has indicated that it is likely that Federico Chiesa, the £10.6million signing from Juventus, will take his first start. However, the Italian is yet to play the full 90 minutes.
Trey Neyoni, a young midfielder from the Academy whose progress is generating a lot of excitement, is also pushing for inclusion. Slot has great admiration for the 17-year-old and the more he can get him to train with the first team, the faster he will progress.
Slot believes a true measure of Liverpool’s defensive capabilities will come at the end of next month, after they face Chelsea and Arsenal
The Dutchman also praised Trent Alexander-Arnold’s qualities as a defender
“He is a young player, he is only 17, but he has a lot of talent,” Slot said. “He has had some impact in the preparation and when he played against Sevilla he even scored a goal.
‘A talent, but just the fact that he is a talent is not enough to play regularly for the first team. So we have to keep developing him.’