Arne Slot Eyes Key Points in Liverpool’s Trip to Arsenal | OneFootball

Slot’s Master Plan: Counting Early in Arsenal Match

Arne Slot’s tactical calculations are at the forefront as Liverpool prepare to face Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday. Reflecting on last season, Slot’s approach emphasises how crucial these head-to-head clashes are. “If you look last season, it was seven points in between Arsenal and Liverpool,” he explained. “The home game was 1-1, the away game Arsenal won. So if we could change the away result – which we can’t – to a win for Liverpool, that would have made a one-point difference between the two teams. So that’s why if you play your competitor, those games are vital.”

Slot’s meticulous focus on the numbers hints at how he views this match: a six-pointer that could shape the course of the title race. Yet, there’s a larger narrative in play, as Slot looks to build on what Jurgen Klopp left behind, striving to elevate Liverpool’s standing among their Premier League rivals.

Prioritising Points Against Title Rivals

Slot’s approach to Sunday’s clash with Arsenal isn’t merely about the three points. It represents a larger battle that could dictate the Premier League title race. Last season, Liverpool struggled to secure victories against the best. “I think it was three draws and one loss [against the top two],” Slot noted. Klopp, despite his success, could only manage two draws against City, which ultimately aided the champions. Slot understands that such matches are complex, requiring more than just the ambition to win.

“Those are the hardest games to win, so you need a certain quality to win those games,” Slot commented. “It is not as simple as, ‘If we win this one and this one and this one, we would have won the league,’ but there is a reason why you didn’t win it, because probably the other team is stronger than you.”

Photo: IMAGO

Improving Liverpool’s Mini-League Record

The Dutch manager has inherited a team that only won once away at the top sides last season, a record he is determined to improve. Slot has already guided Liverpool to six points from two key matches against United and Chelsea. His strategic outlook is clear: to be serious title contenders, Liverpool need to excel in what he refers to as a “mini-league” against the top eight sides.

“It is so hard to beat the top five or six teams in an away game and the teams who are able to do this like City and Arsenal last season were, they have a very good chance to win the league,” Slot highlighted. He pointed to Manchester City’s 2-0 victory at Tottenham as a pivotal moment in their title defence, illustrating how critical these encounters can be.

“If you want to win the league you need many, many points, then once in a while you have to win an away game,” Slot added, recalling Guardiola’s early years at City. He acknowledged that overcoming the top sides away is essential for any team with championship aspirations, reinforcing his belief in the need for precision and high-quality play.

Aiming to Capitalise on Arsenal’s Setbacks

Slot will be keenly aware of the circumstances ahead of Sunday’s game. Arsenal may be weakened by the absence of key players, with William Saliba suspended, Martin Odegaard injured, and doubts surrounding Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori. It’s a situation that could offer Liverpool an opportunity to secure a vital win and increase their lead over Arsenal to seven points.

Victory this weekend would mark a significant shift from last season, when Arsenal were seven points ahead of Liverpool at the close of the campaign. As Slot continues to refine his team, he’s keen to seize every advantage, recognising that a seven-point cushion at this stage could be a substantial psychological blow to a direct rival. “If you want to win this league, no you need to win a few of the five, six, seven very difficult away legs,” he noted, with Arsenal firmly in his sights.