3 weeks ago
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot looks on after the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD5 match between Liverpool FC and Real Madrid C.F. at Anfield on November 27, 2024 in Liverpool, England. | Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images
Slot took a break from re-watching the Forest lost to consider the dire last darby
Speaking to the press ahead of Saturday’s early Goodison Derby, the Liverpool head coach had a lot to say about the last meeting between the two sides — with some coded criticisms of the officials:
As a manager, you always lean on your players for your idea and plan but it always depends on the players if they are ready to work hard and play their best. People told me [about it] but I have to know more their style, what we can expect, and we need to be aggressive but in a smart way.
“Last season we went there, I watched it back yesterday, and in 30 minutes I was surprised as Liverpool made 10 fouls and only one by Everton and we had the ball. They are a big threat, so can’t give away free kicks — that is not smart. So aggressive, yes, in a smart, concentrated way.
“I think we want to be aggressive, on the front foot. [We play] no different but we try to adjust to the other team’s threat and where we feel we can hurt them. We have to be very aggressive, they work hard so if you want to talk about tactics, you have to match their work rate, which we have shown. We need that at Everton. The team works hard, and the fans will help.”
For Slot, Everton are one to watch on set pieces, perhaps something that dictated their desire to win free kicks:
“Everton aren’t the only team who try to block keepers or the best headers. Five or six years ago, hardly anyone spoke about set-pieces and now everyone speaks about the importance of them. Everton definitely can but we have players who can score from them too.
“Big games, City, Arsenal, Chelsea... the main thing was set-pieces, so this is a part of this game too. The weather is not a consideration at the moment but we take this into consideration for choices we make, the execution of the players, not the line-up. The wind in your back, impacts certain actions. There are many things we take into account.”
Knowing a threat isn’t the same as nullifying it, but with Slot involved you do feel that the players will have the tools at their disposal.
