Club’s struggles continued at Anfield this week and supporters made their feelings heard
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has declared he is confident he can win back supporters after some fans booed both him and the team following Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Anfield.
Ryan Gravenberch gave Liverpool an early lead before Enzo Fernandez equalised with a freekick after the half-hour. Frustration among supporters grew during the second half when teenager Rio Ngumoha was substituted, and boos were heard again at full-time.
Slot acknowledged the dissatisfaction among fans but said he believes Liverpool can improve significantly next season and win back their trust.
“Not this season – this season they will have their opinion and it will not change but if we can have the summer that we are planning to have I am 100% convinced we will be a different team next season than we are now,” Slot said. “Different in terms of results, different in how things look.
“It’s not always that simple because sometimes you know what you have to do but it’s not always possible to get exactly what you want. For us, for me, it is really clear what we are lacking this season and we are trying. One of the things that we are lacking is players that are fit.”
Slot said Liverpool dominated large parts of the second half but again struggled to turn possession into clear chances.
“The players that we have available now, like last week, showed in the second half they want to give everything and try to push but it was not enough last week or this week to find that goal which we maybe deserved if you look at where the game was played.
“For me, the game was mainly played in the second half in their half and that is what we’ve seen a lot of times this season. We’ve also seen a lot of times this season that being the dominant team does not lead to chance after chance after chance.”
Slot said supporters were justified in showing frustration after another disappointing result.
“After the game I think it also makes sense because this club should not be happy with a 1-1 draw against Chelsea,” Slot said. “In a season when we have not won as much as we want, it is building up frustration.”
The Liverpool manager also explained that Ngumoha was substituted because of cramp, despite the negative reaction from the crowd.
“Not injured, he had cramps a few minutes before when I went to the floor then I had contact with him and he said that it was enough so I took him off,” Slot said.
“It makes complete sense if you take a player off that is playing well, people don’t expect you to take him off. It wasn’t my intention to do. He is a good player but I don’t think he is at a level yet to play at 50 or 60 percent and make the difference but maybe the fans have a different opinion.
“I knew the moment his number went up that would be the reaction but that is not a reason to keep a player in the team that tells me he cannot continue.”
