Arne Slot has praised the mental strength of his Liverpool players after a challenging four days in which they have beaten Manchester City and Newcastle United to go 13 points clear at the top.
A gruelling schedule looked to finally be taking its toll on the Reds following two draws and a narrow win in their previous three fixtures, but they have since responded with successive 2-0 victories to take firm control of the title race.
"I think what impressed me most was the mental strength in both games," Slot said in his post-match press conference.
| Position Pos | Club | Played Pl | GD | Points Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Man City
MCI
|
38 | +62 | 91 |
| 2 |
Arsenal
ARS
|
38 | +62 | 89 |
| 3 |
Liverpool
LIV
|
38 | +45 | 82 |
| 4 |
Aston Villa
AVL
|
38 | +15 | 68 |
"Because after Everton, a bit [after] Wolves, maybe a bit after the Villa game, people started to question us a bit and normally when players or people get questions, you always see extra work-rate.
"That's quite normal and what I saw us doing against City. But if you get a lot, a lot, a lot of compliments, eight out of 10 people get a bit complacent – but only the ones that want to achieve something don't. That mentality of these two out of 10 I saw tonight because they just found an extra gear to work even harder.
"We weren't perfect – I think we lost more simple balls than we usually do – but the mentality was great again, as well as the squad performance.
"What impressed me most was that this was our fifth game in 15 days and the four before weren't the most simple ones.
"So, Everton we all know how an emotional game that was for both teams but definitely for us as well and then Wolves and then two difficult away games with Villa and [Man] City.
"To show up the way we did tonight, hardly conceding a chance against a very good team like Newcastle, is a big compliment for the players [in] how they handled these five games in 15 days."
Owen: Slot's got it right on and off the pitch
Former Liverpool striker Michael Owen has commended Slot for the job he has done since taking over from Jurgen Klopp, emphasising how well the club have done to keep several of their players injury-free this season.
"The manager has come in and just taken over and done a great job. [He's] calmed everyone down, [his] demeanour is great. One of the big things I do think as well is their injury record," Owen said.
"There's no one who has been out for a long time.
"Alisson was probably out for the longest but they've got a cracking reserve goalkeeper in [Caoimhin] Kelleher, but [in terms of] major injuries, they've managed that well and I don't think that's a fluke.
"When you look at all these teams around the country there's lots of teams this year, there's Manchester City, Tottenham [Hotspur], Manchester United off the top of my head who've had chronic injury problems - and that's not just luck all the time.
"That's why they employ sports scientists and medical teams and all the rest of it, and the training and the diet and the nutritionists and all these things go into it, they're all so important.
"The one per cent differences all over the place add up and I just think they've got it right on and off the pitch."
