S Poddar
Arne Slot insists that Liverpool are not experiencing a dip in form despite their latest performances, but he admits his side need to regain their ruthless streak to continue their winning streak. A captivating 2-2 draw against Aston Villa demonstrated both their goal-scoring talent and missed opportunities, most notably Darwin Núñez’s late-game miss.
Slot conceded that Núñez was clearly distraught after missing a golden chance to win the game for Liverpool. The forward, who replaced Diogo Jota off the bench, was in top position following a pass from Dominik Szoboszlai that caught him perfectly but was unable to put the finishing touches on it. I watched an unbelievable pass from Conor Bradley, a strong run by Dominik Szoboszlai, who made in my opinion the ideal decision to square because he made it an open-goal opportunity, and then Darwin, it was not his best,” Slot said. “He’s right-footed, naturally, but it’s still a great chance.
Despite the missed opportunity, Liverpool remain in a strong position in the Premier League, sitting eight points clear of second-placed Arsenal. However, Arsenal have a game in hand and could close the gap when they face West Ham on Saturday. The draw at Villa Park means Liverpool have won only once in their last four matches, a stretch that includes an unexpected FA Cup exit at the hands of Championship side Plymouth. Even so, they continue their unbeaten run away from home in the league this season.
When asked whether the recent performances indicated a slump in form, Slot was quick to shoot down the idea. “I don’t think so at all,” he maintained. “If you go to Villa, that’s always a tough game. At the beginning of the season, you know: ‘Villa away, that’s a tough one, City away, that’s a tough one.’ So performance-wise, not a dip at all today, in my view, but you may disagree.”
His faith in the team’s performance was clear, though he did accept that there needed to be improvement in execution in front of goal. “What we can’t do and we’ve done a little bit too much now, is we don’t get what we deserve,” he said. “If you look at all the chances and line them up, from us and from them, I think it’s obvious which team should have won.”
Liverpool’s inability to take advantage of their superiority has been a common theme, and Slot is keen to make sure it does not become a habit. “We cannot make a habit of that because it has happened a bit too much now. But still, we are eight points ahead of Arsenal, who have a game in hand.”
Núñez’s missed chance was one of the biggest talking points of the evening. The Uruguayan striker has been a dynamic figure in Liverpool’s attack but has lacked consistency in front of goal. The frustration was clear in the dressing room after the game. “I was hoping he would get another chance,” Slot conceded. “We were all disappointed, but it’s natural that a player like this is a bit more disappointed.”. There is one player in the changing room who is very low. You know who it is.
Liverpool’s next test will be a high-pressure encounter against Manchester City on Sunday. With City nipping at their heels and Arsenal waiting in the wings with a game in hand, the title race remains hotly contested. Each lost point could be expensive in the closing stages of the campaign.
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s equalizing goal in the second half saved Liverpool a point at Villa Park, but Slot realizes that his team has to be more clinical if they are going to hold on to their advantage in the title hunt. “At this level, you’ve got to take your chances,” he stressed. “The margins are fine, and the teams around us won’t think twice about taking it.
In spite of recent setbacks, Liverpool’s title aspirations are far from dead. Slot’s faith in his team is unshakeable, but he will be eager to have his team regain their cutting edge during the critical weeks that lie ahead. With difficult games looming, including the trip to Manchester City, Liverpool’s capacity to translate performances into victories will be severely tested.
The Villa Park draw is not the outcome Liverpool would have hoped for, but it reminds us that in football, small margins can prove so decisive. Slot is hopeful his team will get back to their best and rediscover their cutting edge in order to maintain their lead in the Premier League championship race.
