Liverpool manager Slot refutes claims of player complacency following error-ridden loss to Fulham

Liverpool’s head coach Arne Slot firmly refuted claims of complacency from his players, despite the Premier League leaders suffering a disappointing 3-2 loss to Fulham on Sunday in a match marked by defensive blunders.

The Reds initially took the lead with a goal from Alexis Mac Allister, appearing poised to edge closer to their record-equalling 20th title in English football.

However, Fulham capitalised on Liverpool’s defensive errors, netting three goals within a hectic 14-minute span in the first half to establish a commanding lead. They managed to hold on, even with Luis Diaz’s late goal prompting a tense finish.

Slot highlighted the critical errors made in the first half as the main factor behind the loss, expressing that Liverpool had created sufficient opportunities in the second half to potentially earn a draw.

The Dutch manager dismissed any notion that his side had eased off with their 11-point advantage at the summit of the table.

“I don’t believe there’s any cause for us to be complacent… we’re not top of the league simply because we win every match by three or four goals,” he stated.

“Anyone who has watched our games knows it takes tremendous effort and hard work to secure victories, alongside our quality on the pitch.”

“The team that has won the league for the past four seasons (Manchester City) often led 3-0 at half-time, which isn’t how we operate.”

He continued: “I don’t think the mistakes we’ve made are attributable to player fatigue.

“In football, if you concede three goals in the first half, everyone tends to say, ‘wow, that was a disaster.’

“However, reflecting on the match, knowing that three goals were conceded might reveal some decent moments as well.”

Slot also supported his captain Virgil van Dijk, who had difficulty at times coping with Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz’s physicality, mirroring his performance against Beto of Everton earlier in the week.

He acknowledged that Muniz and Beto deserved credit, adding: “I still notice many aspects of Virgil’s play that are excellent. Playing 50 to 60 games a season, there will inevitably be one or two instances even for him where things might have gone better.”

“Overall, if I reflect on Virgil’s performance against Everton, apart from one missed ball, he was exceptional, so I’m not concerned about him.”