If the pressure of the title race is getting to Arne Slot, the Liverpool boss certainly isn’t showing it. And his latest media briefing at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday morning suggested he was relishing the championship tussle with Arsenal.
With a trip to Aston Villa next up on Wednesday evening, Slot was informed of the Midlanders’ indifferent recent top-flight record that continued with Saturday’s 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened 10-man Ipswich Town means they haven’t won in the competition since a narrow triumph at Goodison more than a month ago.
That was all the opportunity the Reds boss needed. “If you win against Everton it’s a special accomplishment, isn’t it?” he responded to laughter from the assembled press hacks.
It wasn’t the first – nor last – mention of Liverpool’s neighbours with some critics believing the manner in which the Reds allowed victory at Goodison to slip through their fingers, and the subsequent struggle to hold off Wolves at Anfield on Sunday, as indication nerves are beginning to take hold.
Slot, though, was all smiles even before the questioning had started when informed one journalist had attended the test event at Everton’s new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on Monday night.
“Who scored first?” enquired the Reds boss, undoubtedly in the knowledge that privilege fell to Wigan Athletic under-18s player and Liverpool fan Harry Rimmer who celebrated by showing six fingers to the 10,000 Blues supporters in attendance.
But Slot is aware the very serious business is about to begin for Liverpool, whose seven-point lead at the Premier League summit will be given a thorough examination over the next nine days with away trips to Villa and Manchester City followed by a home clash against fellow League Cup finalists Newcastle United.
