Arne Slot admits he could do without more drama when Liverpool face off against Leeds United once again in the Premier League on Thursday evening
Without even kicking a ball, Mohamed Salah ensured he was the main topic of conversation when Liverpool last faced Leeds United. Arne Slot, though, was just as concerned about matters that preceded the Egyptian’s explosive post-match outburst.
Having restored their lead after throwing away a two-goal advantage in their trip to Yorkshire in early December, the perennial failure to defend set-pieces saw the Reds leak a dramatic injury-time equaliser and set in motion a series of events that led to Salah’s Anfield future being called into question.
If the winger has subsequently stepped back from the brink, so Liverpool have rolled up their sleeves and began to climb their way back up the Premier League table.
READ MORE: Arne Slot eyes Liverpool signings New Year impact as Florian Wirtz change spottedREAD MORE: Liverpool transfer latest as midfielder interest expected and defender in talks
While dead-ball situation remain a concern – and cost set-piece coach Aaron Briggs his job this week – the Reds have fashioned a six-game unbeaten domestic run to move into the Champions League qualification berths.
Leeds have also been undefeated since Liverpool’s visit, with the teams bringing in the New Year by meeting at Anfield in the reverse fixture on Thursday evening.
Could, then, Slot cope with a repeat of that Elland Road rollercoaster?
“Yes I could but I don’t prefer to cope with another day like that,” said the Liverpool boss. “It is part of football, we have to cope with the highs and lows. We have to accept that.
“What we can take from it is we struggled much more they went started playing 4-3-3 in the last 20 minutes and that is when they scored their goals.
“The first was a VAR intervention, the second a very good goal, the third a set-piece. We struggled when they played four at the back rather than five so I will definitely look at that.”
Liverpool, though, have become a different animal since that match. Florian Wirtz is revelling on the left, Curtis Jones prospering playing as one of two defensive midfielders and Jeremie Frimpong has returned to offer pace down the right flank with assists in consecutive games.
Last Saturday’s win over Wolves was the first Premier League game Frimpong had started since the opening weekend victory over Bournemouth, and Slot admits the qualities of both the Dutchman and similarly injury-hampered right-back Conor Bradley have been missed.
“We had to make one change in that position because Trent left,” said the Liverpool boss. “That was not ideal for me as Trent was so important for this club and was very important for me last season.
“When we looked at the options in the market, Jeremie was one of the first we noticed because he has that pace similar to Conor, Milos and Robbo.
“That pace is one thing going forward but also if you face the forwards of Paris Saint-Germain or many Premier League teams with very, very, very fast wingers.
“It is definitely helpful to have them. Unfortunately for them they have not always had the same players playing in front of them. So it is still a work in progress, especially because too many times not all of them have been available and we have had to change because of load management.
“But bit by bit, we see players and the team improving.”
Jones is poised to start a fifth consecutive Premier League game for the first time under Slot having played for the full 90 minutes in the last four.
And Slot said: “One of the main qualities he has is that he always wants to have the ball no matter the situation, 99 times out of 100 that is very positive, sometimes it is smarter to stay away from the ball or not bring yourself into a difficult situation.
“But even if it is a difficult situation, he is able to bring himself out of the situation and play the ball. The most positive thing for him is that he is able to stay fit for four or five games in a row now, and has played 90 minutes every single time.
“That might have to do with his performance but if you look at the bench (against Wolves) there are no midfielders that have played more than 10 Premier League minutes so far.
“That’s why I’m so pleased with our current results. If we had dropped points people would have talked about how many players we are missing. But because we have not dropped points no-one is talking about that, maybe because they only talk about how much we spent!”
Bradley will challenge Frimpong for a start at right-back against Leeds, although the Dutchman could begin on the wing having ended the Wolves game in the position.
Dominik Szoboszlai will return to the starting line-up after missing out on Saturday through suspension, while Cody Gakpo and Andy Robertson are also pressing for inclusion as Slot considers rotating his resources during the hectic festive schedule.
