Arne Slot has argued it’s unrealistic for Liverpool to be perfect every week as they head to Aston Villa on Wednesday looking to overturn a recent wobble in form.
Slot’s Premier League leaders could move 10 points clear with a win at Villa Park but have been unconvincing in their last three games; an FA Cup exit against Plymouth, dramatic 2-2 draw at Everton and tense 2-1 victory over Wolves at Anfield.
Defeat against Unai Emery’s side would allow Arsenal to cut the gap to four points against West Ham on Saturday, with Liverpool then facing a tricky trip to Manchester City 24 hours later.
Despite facing FA punishment for his confrontation with referee Michael Oliver at Goodison Park, Slot insists he feels calm as he tries to get Liverpool over the line.
‘If there’s any experience I’ve learned from winning a league title (with Feyenoord), it’s that you don’t expect to show fantastic football in every game,’ said the Dutchman.
‘If you are a special team, you play 20 to 25 very good games, a few mediocre and a few very bad. It is more about the results when you are mediocre because you will probably win the good games.
Arne Slot has admitted Liverpool cannot exhibit ‘fantastic football’ every week following their recent nervy games in the Premier League
Despite a 2-1 victory at Anfield, the Reds were unconvincing against strugglers Wolves
However, Arne Slot’s men could move 10 points clear in the league table with a win over Unai Emery’s Aston Villa on Wednesday
‘It’s not normal the best football ever is played 38 times. Not in the history of Liverpool, not in the four years Manchester City won the league and not this time with us, or Arsenal, or City, or Chelsea.
‘We all have a certain amount of games that we play really well. Because we have to play so many games, can’t expect us to outplay every opponent.’
Liverpool didn’t have a shot on target in the second half against Wolves on Sunday with Slot citing fatigue because of the efforts a few days earlier in the Merseyside derby.
‘I agree the last two performances were not the same level we had at West Ham away or Tottenham at home.
‘But I am, indeed, calm except for maybe the minute after we conceded the 2-2 (at Goodison)!
‘I saw the same work rate against Wolves and maybe even more at Everton because the game went to their pattern.’
Curtis Jones is available after suspension with Villa but Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez remain out. Gomez isn’t expected back until the back end of the season with a hamstring injury that may require surgery.
Villa are unbeaten at home since August and have an extra threat in Marcus Rashford who joined on loan last month from Manchester United.
The Reds lost two crucial points at the Goodison Park, in a game which was highlighted by a mass brawl following the final whistle
Midfielder Curtis Jones will be available again after his red card against Everton last week
Slot has praised Manchester United loanees Antony and Marcus Rashford, who are currently at Real Betis and Villa, respectively
Slot says he would be ‘surprised’ if Rashford wasn’t a hit at his new club after being frozen out at Old Trafford by Ruben Amorim.
‘If he plays to his ability, Rashford is one of the best attackers that England has in my opinion,’ said the Reds boss.
‘We played him on pre-season tour in the USA. I was impressed by how fast he is. He has a nice height and is comfortable with the ball.
‘I will be completely surprised if a player of this quality doesn’t show it in the upcoming months because he is a very good player.
‘Certain players start to play much better if a new manager comes in or when they go to different clubs.
‘You mention Rashford but Antony isn’t doing bad at Betis either. I’ve always said United have a lot of quality players. Some of them now show it there and some of them show it somewhere else.’
After Liverpool have played their next two tough away games, seven out of their remaining 11 fixtures will be at Anfield.
