Liverpool's Manager Provides Zero Justifications and Vows to Plot Route From Slump
Liverpool's head coach declared he had to “examine my own performance” following Liverpool endured a 6th defeat in seven Premier League matches at home against Forest and affirmed he would discover a solution from the title holders' poor run.
Forest, in the relegation zone prior to the match, produced the largest victory at Anfield in their history as Liverpool fell to an 8th defeat in 11 fixtures in every tournament. The most expensive domestic acquisition, the Swedish striker, was once more anonymous and Liverpool argued the defender's first goal should have been ruled out for comparable grounds to the captain's chalked-off goal against City before the national team pause. But Slot admitted the buck rested with him and made no excuses.
“Nobody wants to hear me now talking about officiating calls if you are defeated 3-0 at home to Forest,” said the Reds' boss. “I ought to examine myself initially and my squad, but it demonstrates you how a score can change the momentum of a match. Before I was just hoping for us to net a goal. Afterwards we hardly generated any chances.
“Of course there is a way out, particularly with the talented players we have. Regardless if you triumph or are beaten when you look back you are always considering: ‘In which areas can we do better, where can we adjust?’ but that is different from doubting your abilities.
“I want to emphasise I am accountable for the present losses. You are answerable when you are victorious but also responsible when you are defeated. I can never provide enough reasons for us to have the outcomes we have. That is far from good enough and I am to blame for that.”
Liverpool’s performance fell apart as Slot made multiple offensive substitutions when pursuing the game. “It was the same away at Forest the previous campaign,” he said. “I took the French defender out and put on [Diogo] Jota and he scored immediately to equalize at 1-1. At that time it was courageous, now it’s likely unwise.”
Liverpool last lost two successive at Anfield league games by Nottingham Forest in the sixties. The most recent occasion they lost consecutive top-flight games by a three-goal scoreline was in 1965.
Slot commented: “It was very bad. Playing on home soil, losing 3-0 regardless of which team you face is a terrible result. Unexpected if you consider the first half-hour of the game. I did not witness us producing so much in the opening 30 minutes maybe the whole season, and the first time they arrived in our box they found the back of the net.
“It did not happen against Manchester City, but in every other fixture we have been the dominant side and were capable to create chances. Lately it is almost consistently that we miss our chances and the attempts we allow find the net.”