Liverpool's Manager Provides Zero Justifications and Pledges to Plot Route Out of Malaise
Arne Slot declared he needed to “examine my own performance” following Liverpool suffered a sixth defeat in 7 English top-flight games at home against Forest and affirmed he would discover a way out of the champions’ poor run.
Forest, fighting against the drop before kick off, delivered the biggest win at Liverpool's stadium in their history as the Merseyside club slipped to an 8th loss in eleven matches in every tournament. The British record signing, Alexander Isak, was again unnoticeable and Liverpool argued the defender's first goal ought to have been ruled out for similar reasons to the captain's disallowed effort versus Manchester City before the national team pause. But the manager admitted the responsibility rested with him and made no excuses.
“No one wants to listen to me now talking about refereeing decisions if you are defeated 3-0 at home to Nottingham Forest,” stated the Liverpool head coach. “I ought to look at myself initially and my team, but it does show you how a goal can alter the momentum of a game. Earlier I was just waiting for us to net a strike. Afterwards we hardly generated anything.
“Naturally there is a way out, especially with the quality footballers we have. No matter if you win or are beaten when you look back you are always thinking: ‘In which areas can we do better, in what aspects can we make changes?’ but that is something else from doubting your abilities.
“I wish to stress I am responsible for the current defeats. You are answerable when you are winning but also responsible when you are losing. I can never come up with enough reasons for us to have the results we have. That is not acceptable and I am to blame for that.”
Liverpool’s display unravelled as Slot introduced several attacking substitutions when chasing the game. “It was the identical on the road at Forest the previous campaign,” he said. “I substituted the French defender out and put on the Portuguese forward and he found the net straight away to make it 1-1. At that time it was courageous, currently it’s probably stupid.”
The Anfield side previously were defeated in back-to-back home league games against Forest in 1963. The last time they lost consecutive top-flight matches by a three-goal margin was in the mid-60s.
The manager commented: “It was very bad. Competing on home soil, losing 3-0 regardless of which team you face is a terrible result. Unexpected if you consider the opening 30 minutes of the match. I haven’t seen us producing so many chances in the initial 30 minutes perhaps the whole season, and the initial occasion they entered in our box they found the back of the net.
“It wasn’t against Manchester City, but in all other game we have been the dominant side and were capable to generate opportunities. Lately it is almost constantly that we fail to convert our chances and the attempts we allow go in.”