Arne Slot admits improving Liverpool’s record against the top teams could have a huge impact on their season.
Liverpool took just three points from their four matches against rivals Manchester City and Arsenal in Jurgen Klopp’s final campaign in charge as they finished third, nine points behind Pep Guardiola’s champions.
They travel to the Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on Sunday, riding high after an impressive streak of eight consecutive wins across all competitions.
“Nobody knows at this stage who is going to be your biggest competitor but we all know that Arsenal will be one of them,” Slot said.
“Dropping points or winning points against them is always important. I think it was three draws and one loss against them last season.
“If Liverpool could have won three of them then the league table would have looked very different. It’s difficult to win away against City or Arsenal, but it’s something we’re trying to do on Sunday.”
Liverpool’s impressive defensive record bodes well ahead of their trip to the capital with just three goals conceded in eight league matches so far.
“There are two reasons why we haven’t conceded a lot,” Slot explained.
“Most games we dominated and controlled it for large parts with possession.
“But I also like that when it’s got difficult in parts of games the work rate has been incredible not to concede.
“You add those things to Virgil (van Dijk) and Ibou (Konate), and the keepers we have. With Jarell Quansah and Joe Gomez too, we’re in a good place with our centre-backs.”
Darwin Nunez is set to lead the line against Arsenal, with Diogo Jota still sidelined. Conor Bradley and Federico Chiesa, meanwhile, are also ruled out.
“They feel good but not when it comes to playing for us at the weekend,” Slot said. “Federico might train with us today or tomorrow.
“Diogo definitely not. Conor, let’s see if he can be with us tomorrow.”
Asked about goalkeeper Alisson, who is out until after the November international break due to a hamstring injury, Slot added: “He’s progressing well, like we expect, but it’s not a short-term recovery.”
(Marco Steinbrenner/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
