Liverpool head coach Arne Slot criticised the team after their sloppy second-half performances despite the 3-6 victory against Tottenham Hotspur. The Reds managed to get a decisive victory against the Spurs despite their home advantage at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
As Everton forced Chelsea to a 0-0 draw, Liverpool’s victory gives them a 2-point advantage after the current game week. Liverpool have now registered their 22nd victory from 26th game in all competitions, sitting at the top of the table.
Nevertheless, the Premier League is ruthless with competitive rivals always looking for an advantage which leaves no room for complacency. Liverpool started the game strongly and scored two goals but conceded a goal after an unlikely mistake from Alexis McAllister.
They managed to score their third goal just before halftime and scored two more goals early in the second half. Liverpool showed the complacency that haunted them last season and conceded two goals until their sixth goal secured the victory.
Speaking in his post-match press conference (via Liverpoolfc.com), Slot believed that Liverpool stopped running after securing a convincing lead against Tottenham Hotspur. He said:
“I exaggerate a bit if I say they don’t run anymore. Of course they still run, but they don’t block crosses anymore, they don’t defend in front of their goal. Until that moment, it was every time, wherever the ball was we were there with two, three, four players. Yes, maybe it is human that if you are 5-1 up you think, ‘OK.’ And I think in general it is also enough, because not many teams after being 5-1 down just keep on going. But we know Tottenham, they always keep on going and also have the quality to create because they are such an attacking threat. Every game they played, they create so, so, so many chances. So, you have to be on top of your game every second of the game. And if you are not 100 per cent then it immediately hurts you – not in every game but definitely against a well-managed side like Tottenham.”
The new Liverpool boss demands focus throughout the game from his players as the bare minimum irrespective of their quality. Understandably, he disliked the drop in performance level after the Reds scored their fifth goal, resulting in Spurs’ potential comeback.
Liverpool players need to understand that complacency is their biggest adversary right now which can undo all of their hard work so far this season. The same thing that happened last season cannot be allowed to repeat itself again this season.
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Liverpool will face Leicester City next in the Premier League clash followed by a trip to West Ham United. Despite the fixture congestion, they need to maintain their consistency and remain proactive for a full 90 minutes regardless of their opposition’s qualities.
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