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Arne Slot has rejected the notion that his model of play at Liverpool is ‘boring’ however admitted that a number of the Reds’ matches this season haven’t been ‘a pleasure to look at’.
The reigning Premier League champions have didn’t beat a number of groups who’re presently within the backside half of the desk regardless of typically dominating possession in these video games, steadily discovering it annoyingly arduous to interrupt down low-block defences.
John Aldridge wrote in a column for the Liverpool Echo this week that the Merseysiders have change into ‘far too predictable’ of their method and are ‘simple to play in opposition to’, calling for dynamic skills resembling Rio Ngumoha to be utilised extra usually as a way to inject an added spark up entrance.
Slot refutes accusations of ‘boring’ soccer
Slot spoke to the media this morning forward of his group’s go to to Arsenal on Thursday night time, and in addressing one query about Liverpool’s inconsistency this season, he acknowledged that breaking down deep-lying defences can nonetheless be tough for his group.
The 47-year-old stated (through Liverpool Echo): “In opposition to Fulham [on Sunday] I don’t assume individuals thought it was a pleasure to look at. In opposition to PSG [at Anfield last March], it was for me. Folks inform me we’d like the additional move; for the second aim in opposition to Fulham we wanted 17 passes earlier than we scored.
“I discover it arduous to listen to [accusations of ‘boring’ tactics] however it’s not that I disagree. I might use a unique phrase however I take it under consideration. I’m recognized for attacking soccer and we’re nonetheless making an attempt to take action, however possession doesn’t imply you play attacking soccer.
“We’re struggling to create loads of probabilities however I’ve stated many occasions we’re not the one group that struggles. I don’t assume we’re creating lower than different groups who’re doing effectively, however I don’t like to listen to [that Liverpool are boring] as a result of I need to play a sexy model of soccer.
“We’ve to discover a technique to play it in opposition to groups who don’t need to, and that’s one thing we haven’t discovered sufficient. We’re engaged on this day-after-day.”
Liverpool have been woefully ineffective at occasions this season
It was evident from Slot’s earliest matches at Liverpool that he was making an attempt to implement a extra managed model of play than the ‘heavy steel soccer’ to which we’d change into accustomed below his predecessor Jurgen Klopp.
It labored wonders for the Dutchman final season because the Reds romped to the Premier League title, however there have been far too many matches this time period the place we’ve had loads of the ball however finished treasured little with it.
In actual fact, of the seven video games within the present marketing campaign during which LFC have had their highest share of possession, they’ve received simply two and misplaced three, scoring greater than as soon as in solely a kind of video games (as per the desk under, with figures from FBref).
Date
Opponent
Closing rating
Possession
xG
Pictures
14 Sept
Burnley
1-0
80%
2.6
26
22 Nov
Nott’m Forest
0-3
74%
1.9
21
27 Sept
Crystal Palace
1-2
71%
2.1
20
1 Jan
Leeds
0-0
68%
2.1
19
3 Dec
Sunderland
1-1
67%
1.4
23
30 Sept
Galatasaray
0-1
66%
1.7
16
27 Dec
Wolves
2-1
66%
1.5
14
There’s no doubting that Liverpool haven’t been helped by the absences of a number of attackers, particularly in current weeks with Alexander Isak injured and Mo Salah away on the Africa Cup of Nations, however they need to nonetheless pack extra of a punch with the standard that they do have.
Coaches who’re criticised for his or her ways will usually really feel vindicated as soon as they’re getting outcomes. The Reds could also be unbeaten of their final 9 video games, however Slot is aware of all too effectively that there have been far too many attracts (together with two within the desk above) in that sequence.
Clearly we have to have the ball so as to have the ability to rating, however possession for possession’s sake doesn’t win soccer matches; it’s about being scientific within the ultimate third, and much too typically this season that hasn’t been the case for LFC.
That should change in the event that they’re to keep away from dropping out of the Champions League qualification locations utterly.
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