Liverpool manager Arne Slot attended the pre-match press conference ahead of the Champions League fixture against Qarabag.
Talking about Joe Gomez, do you think his injury will affect Liverpool’s transfer plans?
I don’t expect any changes in the short term (January transfer window).
Do you think it is difficult to balance the team’s offense and defense?
It’s really hard to strike a balance. Especially with the long-term injury issues—if I start Isak instead of Ékitike, I don’t think anyone will complain.
If I take Jeremy off and bring on a similar player, no one will complain either. Of course, I will definitely do that if I can find a player of the same type. But in our final defensive line, two of the players are not natural defenders, and of course, this situation is not helpful for Liverpool, right?
At the same time, if I let Conor Bradley play two games in a row, he is not used to this intensity, and then he gets injured. So I really struggle to find the balance.
There are always voices saying to ignore the medical department and performance department. So it’s not that I haven’t heard these opinions. That’s why there have been situations where a player scored a goal in the final stages of the game, but he should have been substituted in fact.
I have been communicating with the players to find out if they can play the full 90 minutes. If people understand the difficulties we are facing, they will be more understanding of the decisions we have to make.
You have explained the injury situation. Given the current volume of matches, will the injury issues make you reconsider details such as squad depth?
Even if you reconsider and make different decisions, can we change things? Can we strengthen the squad with the funds we have?
Yes, compared with last season, we actually have one or two fewer players. Coupled with three players sidelined with long-term injuries, the number is quite a lot.
I know this may not be a popular thing to say, but maybe the reason why we won the Premier League title last season is that we faced Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Round of 16 last season. They knocked us out, and after that, we had a week to prepare for the next game every time.
Arsenal had a tight schedule at that time, so they dropped some points.
Every manager knows that the stronger the squad, the higher the chance of coping with the matches. But even so, I have to disappoint some players today because they can’t play.
As the manager, what kind of results are acceptable for you this season?
That’s an interesting question. I didn’t think anyone would ask this (a few people chuckled below). At Liverpool, our goal is to win the league title, but we have only won it twice in 30 years.
I know what is acceptable for us this season, and I have my own opinions, but I don’t want to share them publicly. Moreover, I think I have given you some hints.
Finally, let’s talk about Qarabag.
They have proven themselves to be a very good team this season, and also a very difficult team to beat. They drew 2-2 with Chelsea.
Looking at our Champions League campaign this season, we have faced many strong teams and performed very well, but these matches have brought some troubles to our Premier League campaign a few days later.
Any update on Wataru Endo’s situation?
He has been absent for a period of time and just returned to action. There is a game tomorrow and another one on Saturday.
It is certain that in the center-back position tomorrow, apart from Virgil van Dijk, there will definitely be no natural center-backs. So it will probably be midfielders or players from other positions. Whether Van Dijk can play the full 90 minutes is something that cannot be ignored.
What did you say to the Hungarian players? Considering the team’s injury situation, is Dominik Szoboszlai likely to play right-back again?
It’s always under consideration, but Szoboszlai is also an excellent midfielder.
Why are you asking this question? Is it because he was the first one to come out?
Well... I just thought I should ask?
We talked a little about tactics, Qarabag, and what we want to do tomorrow. That’s it.
Is Szoboszlai going to play right-back?
I will consider all possibilities, but let’s wait and see. Jeremie Frimpong can play right-back and right winger, and Mohamed Salah is also available, so we will see.
