Arne Slot isn’t getting carried away with Liverpool’s away form as he believes the toughest games are still to come.
Liverpool are unbeaten away from home in all competitions this season and are seven points clear of their pursuers in the Premier League, although Arsenal could reduce that to six with a win over Ipswich this evening.
The Reds have so far been undefeated at Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle and Tottenham, but Slot believes this is partly down to a good game plan.
Arne Slot’s press conference: West Ham, pressure, away form and more 💬 #WHULIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 27, 2024
Ahead of Sunday’s trip to West Ham, he said: “I think our away form has been good but maybe it has a bit to do with the teams you play in the first half of the season.”
“So I think we’ve played mainly at home against the teams in the top half of the table and against the others away, so that might have something to do with it. We are strong both away and at home.
“I don’t see any reason why we are stronger there than we are here (at Anfield). We can best judge that at the end of the season, when we have played each team at home and away to find out what suits us best.” . But I think we are a difficult team to beat away and in our home games.”
Always pressure at Liverpool – Slot
Liverpool have led the way this season but Slot insists this does not add pressure to his players as they are now the team to beat.
“No, you are sitting in front of the Liverpool manager; “So there is always pressure at this club, whether you are one, two, three, four or five in the table,” he added.
“When you work at a big club like Liverpool you are always under pressure. I think they were also number one mid-season last season? I think they were last season. So it’s not surprising for a club like us to be at the top of the league. But we know how many good teams there are in this league and who can win almost every game.
“There is no added pressure – there is always pressure when you work at a club like Liverpool.”
All three Boxing Day goals 🎯#TeamPixels | #Advertisement pic.twitter.com/PADVrt1Q0N
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 27, 2024
Finally, Captain Van Dijk greets
Liverpool will be without the suspended Dominik Szoboszlai at the London Stadium, but Virgil van Dijk is expected to lead the team.
The Netherlands international’s contract expires at the end of the season – as do Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold – and Slot is a huge admirer of his compatriot.
He said: “He has been a great player for so many years, a great player for Liverpool. Unfortunately for him, he was out almost the entire season due to injury; That didn’t help this football club at all, which probably shows how big of an influence he had here at this club.
“I can only tell you what experiences I had with him and he was not only because of what you see – because you see him during the game and he is outstanding during the game – but he also has in the training sessions such a big influence.” .
“He is the vocal leader of this team. Every time we start a drill, he stands above his teammates and leads by example. So for me he has been outstanding so far and we can only hope that he can continue to show that in games and training as long as he is with us.”
