Arne Slot explains what is actually ‘different’ at Liverpool compared to last season
Liverpool look like a shadow of the team that won the Premier League title last term, with Arne Slot explaining a reason for their downfall.
After cantering to the title in his first campaign in charge at Anfield, Slot was expected to defend his crown in 2025/26.
Liverpool spent over £440million on new signings in the summer, most notably big-money transfers for Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak.
Yet, Liverpool have lost their last four games in the league and as a result, have dropped seven points behind Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
Pressure has been piled on Slot to turn the situation around, and ahead of their showdown with Aston Villa, the Dutchman has spoken about where it’s gone wrong.
Arne Slot blaming injuries on Liverpool downfall
Liverpool were knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Crystal Palace on Wednesday (October 29), and Slot was accused of waving the white flag after making 10 changes to the side that lost to Brentford.
The boss arguably had no interest in progressing in the competition and perhaps wanted to avoid more injuries, something he’s had to put up with this season.
Speaking in his pre-match conference, Slot used injuries as an excuse when explaining why his Liverpool side is ‘different’ compared to 2024/25.
“We handle the situation as it is. Alex [Isak], let me use as an example, pre-season was inside the season. People ask why he plays? Otherwise I have to play Hugo [Ekitike] every game,” Slot said.
“Both strikers, Owen Hargreaves showed me, both played 34 games last season, we play 60 over here, so I need Alex having as many games as he can.
“And that has been something with him and a few others, – [Jeremie] Frimpong, [Conor] Bradley – if one is out one has to play more, hence [Dominik] Szoboszlai at right-back more.
“That has been something every team, so it’s not an excuse but it was a bit different than last season, last season they all had one year PL experience as a minimum, they stayed fit.
“Now some have to play more than you want them to but it is just the situation as it is. We have enough to play the games but I have to take care of a few of them, why I made the decision not to play 7 or 8.”
Slot shares Liverpool injury update
Any manager finds navigating injuries difficult, and in Liverpool’s case, they’ve suffered their fair share this term.
Jeremie Frimpong is currently out injured, while Isak picked up a groin problem during their hammering of Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.
Ryan Gravenberch also twisted his ankle in the loss to Manchester United, but luckily, he confirmed that the Dutchman trained on Friday.
“Ryan trained yesterday, Isak and Jones didn’t yet,” Slot said, revealing Curtis Jones and Isak will miss the clash against Aston Villa.
“Timescale…I said many times, the end phase of the injury, things can go slow or faster. Let’s wait and see where they are. Ryan trained yesterday and is with us today and we’ll make the call if he can start. The other two [99.9% not in the squad.”