Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has played down any title talk, insisting his side remain 'far away from Arsenal', despite recent results. Slot offered a measured assessment of where his team currently stand, stressing the need for consistency, improvement and focus on the top four challenge ahead rather than comparisons at the top.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 INTRO
00:15 Arne Slot on Salah:"I said last week, actions speak louder than words. We moved on, he was in the squad and was first sub. Now he is at AFCON, big games for him and the country.”
1:13 On injuries: Gakpo, had a scan that looks promising, so we're not that worried anymore that we were a few weeks ago. He will come back early but not tomorrow or next week.
Gomez not in the squad.
Szoboszlai trained y'day, parts, so let's see how he is today."
2:12 On spurs It took us 92 mins to score away against Brentford, a Thomas Frank team last season. Spurs are mainly same players, Frank, a new manager, so you cannot compare last season with this for our games with Spurs. We added
4:37 Slot on top 4; Winning always gives ua good feelings and spirit, especially for a team who had so many changes in the summer. The table, the first 12/13 teams are so close. Man City are getting closer to Arsenal but they are quite a way from us
6:14 Full week on training pitch: I think it is always helpful for a manager to work on the training pitch a minimum of pre season
7:26 Hugo Ekitike impressive form: His ability to score, his technique, speed, he has all this, so no-one is surprised to see it. But he has improved a lot how much he runs in the games and works. That is a big help for the team as well, so that is important for No.9 as well.
9:10 On Konate: Recently he has not been at the crime scene and that is how we prefer to see it. But it is not only about him, he has helped out more recently than before. So we are less vulnerable than at other times in the season."
11:00 Slot on Jones: “He's done really well in the last 3 games, and it is not the first time but maybe since I am here it is 3 times in a row for the first time very good performances”
12:30 Will Szoboszlai start? “It depends how he does today. He can fill the whole session and you speak to the player and staff and feels comfortable then he will start.”
13:15 Conceding chances: We kept Inter away from danger, maybe one chance with Martinez. Brighton arrived a lot of times in our 18-yard box but we created a lot ourselves.
15:20 We are getting closer to the team I want us to be, and it has come with ups and downs. Make sense with all the changes in the summer and we felt we needed to. If I am honest, I didn't expect it to take this long but you have to adapt and it takes some time.
17:00 END
@HaytersTV – Football Up Close. Visit our website: https://hayters.com/
We go behind the scenes with the biggest names in football to bring you interviews, training, news, live coverage, fans' voices and funniest moments. If you love football, you'll love Hayters
By HaytersTV
December 19, 2025