Arne Slot says Liverpool’s critics would be more understanding if they knew the struggles he is facing in terms of fitness issues.
The Reds boss has needed to juggle an injury crisis in recent weeks with three long-term blows including British record signing Alexander Isak, plus other selection issues that saw them forced to end the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth with two midfielders playing in defence.
Due to the lack of rotation options, Slot has needed to be careful with the fit players he does have – meaning he has made the unpopular decision to rest key men and manage the minutes of others, which has sparked criticism from fans.
And the Dutchman said: ‘If you are not aware of the information (around how fit players are) it is not strange to criticise decisions.
‘But if people knew the struggles we and I are facing, they would be more understanding of the decisions I make.’
Liverpool are without four defenders for the visit of Azerbaijan champions Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday, where a win would confirm the Reds’ safe passage to the knockout stage.
Arne Slot has opened up on the struggles he is facing in terms of Liverpool’s fitness issues
British record signing Alexander Isak is out for a lengthy spell after fracturing his left leg
Joe Gomez is out with a hip problem while Ibrahima Konate is ‘having a hard time’, according to Slot, and remains on leave due to the passing of his father. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are both ruled out for the remainder of the season with knee injuries.
Slot was forced to start Hugo Ekitike on the bench at Bournemouth and take off fullback duo Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez due to worries about potential problems.
And asked how hard it is to balance fans’ demands for certain players to start with the long-term desire to manage minutes, Slot added: ‘Very hard. Especially with the problems we have with long-term injuries.
‘If I would have started Alexander Isak to give Hugo a rest, no fan would complain. Now I have to adapt the system or put players in different positions. Taking Jeremie off, no one would complain if I brought in a similar player.
‘But I had to end the game with four defenders where only two were real defenders. That does not help with the narrative. That I am completely aware of.
‘What would be worse, and Conor Bradley is a great example, if I gave him two games in a row when he is not ready for that, then he can get injured. Before people say I don’t listen to performance staff or medical staff, I am listening and sometimes I make my own decisions.
‘There has been a player who was on the pitch and made a goal at the end of a game where it would have been better to take him off earlier. It is not always that you listen but you use your eye.
‘I speak to my players and know how they feel and if they are ready to go again for 90 minutes. You take all that into account, make a lineup and decide on your substitutions. For people who don’t have all the information, that could lead to scrutiny. I am aware of that.’
Defender Joe Gomez went off during Liverpool’s 3-2 defeat against Bournemouth on Sunday
Slot is under scrutiny with fans and said: ‘It’s going to be really difficult to quieten the outside noise with the position we are in in the league so even if we win a few games, every loss or every disappointing result will start the noise coming back again.
‘That’s what you can expect if you started the season as we did – not started, but had a certain moment with so many losses. So it’s impossible to shut down the noise at a club like this if you are not competing for the league.’
Slot is expecting Andy Robertson to stay at the club after the plug was pulled on a £5million move to Tottenham.
AS Roma are trying to send Kostas Tsimikas back to Merseyside by cutting short his loan but the Italians are yet to source a replacement left back.
