Liverpool boss admits it is “impossible” to shut down the outside noise at such a big club
Arne Slot has dismissed claims that Liverpool players are getting injured often because he is not following the advice of medical personnel.
The Merseyside club suffered another injury blow after central defender Joe Gomex was forced off against Bournemouth last week. Alisson, Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong have all been sidelined at various points this season. Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni remain out.
“I am listening [to medical staff] but sometimes I make my own decisions,” Slot said. “There was a player who was on the pitch and set up a goal when it probably would have been better for him to be off the pitch.
“I speak to my players, I know how they feel and if they are ready, I take that all into account. If you don’t know the information, it is easy to criticise.”
Slot admitted that such criticism came with a club of Liverpool’s size, with a massive global fanbase and huge expectations.
“It is going to be really difficult to quiet outside noise with the position we are in in the league,” Slot said. “It’s impossible to shut down the noise at a club like this if you are not competing for the league.
“In between the boxes we are a very, very good team. The way we play out from the back and bring the ball towards promising positions –so, so many times against Bournemouth we were in positions I want my players to be in.
“Taking it from promising positions to chances and being clinical to finish them off we have to improve. In the other box, other teams arrive there three, four times a game. Too many times when they arrive it leads to chances and sometimes goals.
With Gomez injured and Ibrahima Konate on compassionate leave due to the loss of his father, Slot will have to field a midfielder in defence against Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday.
“For sure at centre-back tomorrow there will not be a centre-back,” Slot said. “I can only play a midfielder as there are no centre-backs available apart from Virgil [Van Dijk].
“I credit him a lot for being fit all the time, at his age to constantly be ready to play another 90 is something we should not take for granted.
Andy Robertson may also feature in the game. The player was linked with a move to Tottenham this window but Liverpool appear to have ruled out a departure.
“Robbo is part of the team tomorrow evening,” Slot said. “He has been part of this squad for so many years. I am happy to have him and I am glad he is available because that is not normal for us right now.
“He will be part of the team and nothing is happening on this side. It’s hard to say anything definite in this world we are in but I expect him to stay.”
