Arne Slot is confident that Liverpool can withstand the mounting pressure of the Premier League title race, despite recent signs of nerves in their narrow 2-1 victory over Wolves.
Liverpool travel to Aston Villa on Wednesday, knowing that a win would put them 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal as they push for a record-equalling 20th English league title. However, despite their strong form this season, the Reds have shown vulnerabilities in recent matches, nearly squandering a two-goal lead against Wolves and dropping crucial points in a Merseyside derby draw with Everton. Their recent FA Cup exit to second-tier Plymouth has further fueled concerns that title-race tension may be creeping in.
It’s Not About Nerves
After the Wolves match, left-back Andrew Robertson admitted that nerves were natural as the team edged closer to the finish line. However, Slot dismissed suggestions that his side was struggling under pressure, pointing to Liverpool’s ability to grind out close wins throughout the season.
“It is because we are going to the end of the season, not because of us but what people make of it,” Slot told reporters on Tuesday.
“We have won other games at home or away by one goal when it was also tight. I remember Crystal Palace away when it was tight in the end. If this happens at the end of the season, you guys are going to talk about nerves. To secure a win in the Premier League, if we are winning 1-0, is going to be a lot of defending and hard work.”
We Fight Until the End
Arsenal’s 15-match unbeaten run in the league has added pressure on Liverpool’s campaign, but several members of Slot’s squad have experience handling a title race, having won the Premier League in 2020 under Jurgen Klopp.
Slot himself is no stranger to high-stakes finishes, having guided Feyenoord to the Dutch title. However, he believes experience alone won’t be the deciding factor.
“We lean a lot on the players. They have to show up and bring the performance. We don’t present a meeting on how to deal with the pressure, that is not how it works,” he said.
“It helps that they are used to playing big games with lots of pressure, but don’t make that too big. We must not over-value experience. And the ones who won the league here in Corona time, at one point they were 25 points up, so there was hardly any pressure then.”
Liverpool face a tough challenge against Villa, who boast an impressive home record under Unai Emery. But Slot believes that the Reds’ ability to fight until the end, as demonstrated in their Wolves victory, will serve them well.
“Villa away is one of the tougher fixtures you can face. They have a very good manager and always have a solid game plan,” Slot said.
“We didn’t play our best on Sunday, but to win gives us a different feeling than the Everton game when we conceded in the last second. These are the games you have to win if you want to achieve something.”
Liverpool will be without Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez for the Villa clash, with Gomez ruled out for several weeks due to a hamstring injury.
AFP
