Slot seeks more improvements ahead of Man City trip despite recent upturn

Arne Slot wants his Liverpool side to continue improving ahead of their upcoming clash against Manchester City, despite registering two crucial victories at Anfield. 

After being dumped out of the EFL Cup by Crystal Palace, the Premier League champions had lost six of their last seven matches across all competitions. 

However, two wins against Aston Villa in the Premier League and Real Madrid in the Champions League, respectively, seem to have reignited their stuttering campaign.

Liverpool travel to Etihad Stadium seven points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, though Slot is aware this side need to maintain their upward trajectory if they are to bridge the already sizeable gap in the top-flight. 

"We were actually very consistent, but the thing is we were consistent in losing," Slot said in his pre-match press conference.

"We have to be consistent in doing things right. Man City is one of the most difficult challenges you have playing away in a season. It's an interesting game to look forward to.

"My focus is on ourselves and our focus is on consistency at the moment. We have lost a few games as you know – much more than we usually do. But we have now won two.

"Our focus is on improving and getting the players fit. And we will see where that leads to."

Having halted their losing run in the Premier League, the Reds will be keen to return to winning ways away from Merseyside. 

Liverpool have lost their last three away from home and haven't lost four on the bounce on their travels since April 2012 under Kenny Dalglish.

But their cause might be helped by the return of record signing Alexander Isak. 

Isak, who has not scored in the league for his new club, has missed the last four matches due to a groin injury, and Slot confirmed that he had returned to training on Friday. 

"He will train for the first time today with the team again after three weeks out," Slot said.

"I said three weeks ago that his pre-season has ended. It's time for us to see where he is at."

Slot has reverted back to the side which dominated for much of last season, with Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai forming his midfield once again, while Andrew Robertson has started the last two matches at left-back ahead of new signing Milos Kerkez.

The 47-year-old singled out Szoboszlai and Robertson for praise, while arguing that injuries were the main reason why he moved away from starting his settled three in the centre of midfield.

Referring to his trio in midfield, Slot said: "I haven't been able to play all three of them together many times for obvious reasons - injuries mainly. It helps if the team plays more and more together.

"[Szoboszlai] has been outstanding throughout the season, but these two games brought more out of him and the team for me for obvious reason, but maybe it's smarter not to say those reasons because I don't want to say it over and over again.

"I was very pleased to see [Robertson] was able to play three games in seven days. He has done well as the team did. It's so helpful for everyone if the team play well. He's been calm on the ball and done a job defensively.

"I am happy with his two, maybe three, performances."