Arne Slot's subtle changes that suggest Liverpool boss is confident of title success
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If there is one thing that has characterised the early stages of Arne Slot’s Liverpool career, it has been his measured words after a match. During games, he has lost his cool on more than one occasion - hence the three yellow cards - but Slot is a coach who avoids emotional highs and lows when reflecting on what has unfolded over 90-plus minutes.
But in the wake of a draw at a tumultuous City Ground, there was something slightly different about Slot. There was a glint in his eye. He was defiant. He was on the front foot. Unusually, he actually referenced the prospect of winning the Premier League.
“Our fans, our players and me, we want to win the league but we want the fans to come and see us and like what they see. We played some outstanding football.”. There was a subtle change in Slot’s messaging. Unprompted, he brought up criticism of performances against Manchester United in the Premier League and Spurs in the Carabao Cup.
He insisted his team deserved to win the game against United at Anfield, just as he insisted his team deserved more against Nottingham Forest. You can argue both points but what was clear is that the display at the City Ground was one that should convince any remaining doubters that Liverpool are champions-elect.
He would never say it, but it should have convinced Slot of exactly that. And perhaps that is why he talked up his team after a second consecutive Premier League draw. Slot’s claim that - apart from the counter-attack that ended with Chris Wood putting Forest ahead in the first half - Liverpool dominated from the first minute until the last was a little unfair on the home side, who executed their game plan almost to perfection in the first half.
