Manager Defends Tactical Approach After Sunderland Draw, Praises Chiesa’s “Heroic” Clearance
Liverpool manager Arne Slot pointed to a cruel twist of fate as the defining moment in his side’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland, expressing his frustration after a deflected goal cost his team vital points at Anfield.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Slot highlighted the similarity to recent performances, stating, “I think it was a bit similar as in the weekend. Again we didn’t concede a lot, we didn’t create a lot, and today very unlucky with the goal we conceded – a deflection that could have gone anywhere.”
The Dutchman did, however, single out one moment of decisive brilliance from his own player. Reflecting on Federico Chiesa’s last-ditch goal-line clearance to deny Wilson Isidor a winner, Slot praised the defender’s commitment. “I think that’s what you want a player to do in that situation, just give everything in a situation you feel you cannot do a lot,” he said.
Responding to questions about a subdued first-half display, Slot defended his team’s tempo, crediting Sunderland’s disciplined setup. “You have to take into account how the other team are playing. They are very, very, very compact if they go low and very aggressive if you press too high,” he explained. “A few other very good teams have had problems with them… With so many bodies in and around the 18-yard box it is difficult to find the free player.”
While admitting Liverpool’s own equalizer—a Florian Wirtz shot deflected in for an own goal—involved fortune, Slot stressed the quality of the chance created. “That was lucky as well but there is a difference between hitting a shot from 11, 12 yards than hitting a shot from 20 yards. It was a good chance for him to score.”
When pressed on the notable omission of star forward Mohamed Salah from the starting lineup, Slot remained tactically vague, shifting focus to the next fixture. “That’s always the situation. It has nothing to do with Mo. When we face Leeds we need a result again but no clue right now who’s going to start.”
The result leaves Liverpool’s top-four ambitions in a precarious state as the season enters its critical phase.
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