Manager insists there are “positives” to take from new signings despite underwhelming start
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has said the club’s immediate priority is to steady themselves and return to the top four.
The champions have taken four points from their last two league games after previously losing three in a row, although they needed some late inspiration from Florian Wirtz to avoid a loss against Sunderland on Wednesday. Liverpool next face Leeds on Saturday.
“It’s definitely our first aim to come back to the top four because we are obviously not happy with the position we are in at the moment,” said Slot.
The Reds are still within touching distance of the top four. Indeed, they are only two points behind fourth-placed Chelsea.
The champions’ stuttering start follows a summer when they spent nearly £450m to bolster a title-winning squad. The returns from Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and in particular have been underwhelming so far, but Slot feels there are some good signs.
“There are positives to take in from the players brought in during the summer – Florian is maybe the most obvious one, but I see the same with Milos Kerkez as well,” said Slot.
“Alex scored his first goal a game ago. So there are positives to take but of course we are still not where we want to be.”
One standout player who was already at the club but not currently performing is Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has been benched in the last two league games due to poor form, and Slot refused to be drawn on whether he’ll be omitted from the starting lineup for the third consecutive game.
“Every player is in my mind to start a game of football because we have so many good players,” said Liverpool’s boss.
“Mo has been such an exceptional player for us. He is always in my mind to either start or come in.”
