The Reds Will Not Abandon Attacking Style Despite Poor Run of Form, Says Slot
Liverpool's head coach has revealed that the team leadership are aligned with his perspective regarding the team's slump and he will not abandon their forward-thinking philosophy in quest for a turnaround. The manager admitted that six defeats in seven outings was below standard ahead of the weekend fixture with Villa.
Pressure Mounting Throughout Challenging Phase
The manager acknowledged the pressure was on before his altered lineup suffered Carabao Cup elimination against the London club. However, he insisted that this need to reverse the decline is not coming from the team's proprietors or football administration following a summer transfer outlay of almost £450m.
"Our views align," remarked Slot, whose side will meet Real Madrid in the Champions League and travel to the Citizens in the English top flight.
Team Strength Remains Unchallenged
The coach is convinced his team "boast a remarkable roster if they are completely available and all ready for the fixture list". He mentioned that the summer investment in footballers like the German international and the Swedish striker, who is likely to miss out again against the Birmingham club through fitness issues, had left the club "in a strong situation for the immediate prospects and the years to come".
Integration Challenges
When asked why his team were struggling to integrate, he replied: "That's not particularly helpful. 'Why, why, why?' I provide reasons and people say I'm offering alibis. I can identify several explanations why we are underperforming or experiencing losses as we do but, as I say every time, there are never enough excuses to have a run of form as we had now."
- Even if I could come up with multiple factors
- When you are Liverpool you cannot lose
- In truth six losses from seven matches
Defensive Statistics
Only Burnley (21) have allowed more significant openings from open play this season than Slot's team (19). The first-place team, the North London club, have allowed just two. Yet Slot denies the team has been overly exposed and maintains there is no basis to sacrifice his attacking principles for a defensive approach after ten fixtures without a goalless performance.
"I don't see us allowing many opportunities so I find no basis to alter our approach completely but we must improve in keeping clean sheets," he said.
Particular Cases
"Versus the Red Devils, how many opportunities did we allow? Versus the German side when we were leading 3-1, we barely allowed a shot on target. In every match we have competed in we haven't conceded a numerous openings. Not at all. We do allow a bit more than the previous campaign but that has to do with us being behind early so you take a bit more risk. But in general I don't believe that our challenge is that we concede too many chances. Our problem is we are unable to finish the openings we produce."
