Arne Slot Assesses Liverpool’s Form and Man City Threat

In partnership with

Anfield Index

·21 February 2025

Arne Slot Assesses Liverpool’s Form and Man City Threat

Arne Slot’s Tactical Approach: Liverpool’s Mindset Ahead of Man City Clash

Liverpool manager Arne Slot addressed the media ahead of the highly anticipated Premier League showdown against Manchester City. Fresh from a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa, the Dutchman discussed squad fitness, Darwin Núñez’s mentality, and how his side plans to navigate a challenging fixture schedule.

Injury Concerns and Fixture Demands

Slot was quick to dismiss any concern about Arsenal playing before Liverpool this weekend, insisting his focus remains solely on City.

OneFootball Videos

“I think the biggest question is for Man City because we face a strong team again, like we did against Villa. Arsenal playing before us doesn’t make our game any easier or harder. We know we have 12 games left, Arsenal have 13, but if we constantly look at what other teams are doing, it won’t help us.”

The discussion then turned to Liverpool’s squad rotation, particularly with players like Cody Gakpo, Conor Bradley, and Joe Gomez working their way back to full fitness. While injuries have disrupted Liverpool’s rhythm, Slot remains confident in his squad’s ability to cope.

Darwin Núñez’s Mentality and Form

One of the biggest talking points was Darwin Núñez’s recent form, with the Uruguayan forward drawing criticism for his finishing. While Slot acknowledged that players will always miss chances, his real concern was Núñez’s reaction afterward.

“I can accept every miss, especially from a player that has scored two crucial goals against Brentford and one in the home game against Villa. But what was harder for me to accept was his behaviour after missing that chance.

“I think it got into his head too much, and he wasn’t the usual Darwin who works his [backside] off for the team. I always believe it’s best to have Wataru Endo’s mindset—just keep going, keep going, keep going.”

Slot’s comments highlight a key element of his coaching philosophy: resilience. Liverpool’s high-intensity playing style requires players to move past setbacks quickly, a quality the manager is keen to instill in Núñez.

Photo IMAGO

Squad Endurance and Tactical Adjustments

The Liverpool boss praised his squad’s physical capabilities, particularly in demanding periods of the season. He singled out Dominik Szoboszlai as an example of a player whose relentless energy epitomises Liverpool’s identity.

“These players are able to play every three days at the highest level. Yesterday, I mostly take Dom Szoboszlai as an example—what a work-rate for his third game in a row. Until the last second, he kept running up and down. That’s all I can ask for, and what the fans can ask for.”

With Liverpool facing a difficult run of fixtures, Slot remains focused on ensuring players maintain peak condition. He also touched on the challenge of balancing game time for key figures like Diogo Jota and Trent Alexander-Arnold, both of whom have returned from injuries.

“Jota will probably be disappointed not to have scored more since coming back, but he gave a great assist against Villa. What’s clear is how much we missed him for four to five months. His absence changed our playing style, and he was involved in a lot of goals before that.”

As for Alexander-Arnold, Slot acknowledged the decision to substitute him against Wolves, explaining the necessity of carefully managing his minutes.

“We spoke about this a week ago, that over these five games he already knew how many minutes he’d play. That was before Conor Bradley got injured, so we may have to adjust our plan. When I took him off, he understood why—but, of course, with the adrenaline from scoring a goal, it’s not always easy for a player to accept.”

Title Race and Mental Resilience

With Liverpool still leading the Premier League table, Slot’s mentality remains unwavering. He is aware of the challenges ahead but insists his squad is ready to embrace the pressure.

“We are still number one, and that’s the good thing when heading into a tough run of games. We face difficult opponents like Villa and Everton away, but that’s part of the journey.”

Liverpool’s clash against City will be a defining moment in the title race. While Pep Guardiola’s side will pose a formidable challenge, Slot remains confident his team can match their intensity.

“What I expect from City is what everybody expects when you go to the Etihad: you have to suffer and work extremely hard because they are so good in possession. But they also face a strong team that hasn’t lost in 22 games.”

Liverpool’s resilience will be put to the test once again, but if Slot’s words are anything to go by, his team will be prepared for the battle ahead.