Liverpool making ‘step forward’ says Slot

Liverpool manager Arne Slott says the European champions have taken a “step forward” though Drawn only with Sunderland In the middle of the week

The 2-0 win over West Ham last Sunday ended a run of three straight defeats that included a 3-0 loss at home to Nottingham Forest and a 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, both at Anfield.

But the Reds faltered again in midweek and only a Nordi Mukele own goal and a stoppage-time clearance from Federico Chiesa saved a point for the newly promoted Black Cats.

“Four points from two matches is different from the last two matches we played at home, in which we lost and conceded seven goals,” Slott said before Saturday’s trip to Leeds.

“In the last two games, we were one step away from keeping a clean sheet in two games. This is a step forward if you compare it to the seven goals we conceded in two games. We did not concede from a set-piece, which is also important, and we got two results.

“There are positives to take, but of course we are not yet where we want to be. Let that be clear and clear.”

Liverpool enters the weekend in ninth place, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal.

I left an opening Mohamed Salah on the bench over the past two games and the manager says he understands the discussion it has caused.

“He deserves it because of the player he has been for this club and his teammates for six or seven years,” Slott said. “It’s completely normal.

“If I don’t pay the players I just brought to the club, we are already talking about that, it is quite normal for people to talk about that when (Salah) is not playing.”