Liverpool must improve against low blocks, says Slot
Liverpool got the better of Real Madrid in the Champions League, but Arne Slot was not surprised due to the defensive style of their rivals.
Liverpool defeated Real Madrid 1-0 at Anfield in the Champions League, but Arne Slot wants his side to translate that performance against teams playing in a “low block”.
The Reds won courtesy of Alexis Mac Allister’s second-half header as Trent Alexander-Arnold’s return to Merseyside was unsuccessful.
Despite the narrow scoreline, it was a strong display from Slot’s side. They accumulated 2.51 expected goals (xG) from 17 shots to Madrid’s 0.45 from eight attempts, with Thibaut Courtois making eight saves.
Florian Wirtz created five chances from open play for the second time in a Liverpool shirt (also vs Atletico Madrid), the only Premier League player to do so in more than one game across all competitions this season.
Although Slot was pleased with how his team performed on Tuesday, the Dutch coach believes they must show the same attacking quality against all opponents.
"If you want my honest answer then the difference is the playing style of the teams we have faced,” Slot told Amazon Prime.
“You cannot compare a game of football when one team wants to bring the ball out of the back and the other teams are in a low block and are in a way more direct.
“I think you saw a similar style from us that you saw last season but we have to make sure that when we play against any style we can win the game.
“Again today shows the importance of set pieces. We have scored four in the Champions League.
“If we had scored as many in the Premier League we would have more points than we have now, but we have scored none and conceded five.
“If that is your balance you are not going to pick up many points.”
Ahead of the November international break, Liverpool face a trip to second-place Manchester City in the Premier League on Sunday.
Slot is determined to help Liverpool improve their form in the league, with the reigning champions currently seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
“Sunday is another game coming up against a very strong team,” Slot added.
“We have lost too many points in the Premier League but in the Champions League we are doing well.
“We need to do better and that is what we are going to try and there's a lot of games coming up for us to show that.”
