Arne Slot dismissed the idea that Liverpool may benefit from Sunday’s shock FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle and demanded his group present a “completely different facet of us” once they face Merseyside rivals Everton tomorrow night time.
Liverpool fielded a weakened group at House Park on the weekend and got here unstuck because the Championship strugglers gained 1-0 to finish the Reds’ hopes of a quadruple.
Some pundits prompt being out of 1 competitors might strengthen Liverpool’s possibilities of success within the Premier League, Champions League and EFL Cup – they meet Newcastle within the remaining at Wembley subsequent month – however Slot was not on the lookout for positives for what was an embarrassing setback.
He stated: “There was a sensible man that after stated to me, nothing good comes from shedding a soccer recreation and I fully agree.
“We’d undoubtedly have ready to play six video games in 18 days or seven in 21 or eight in 24 as a result of that’s the schedule we’re in. Now with us shedding this recreation, there may be one second that we’ve got a standard week, however that’s undoubtedly not what we needed once we went to Plymouth.”
Onto the Merseyside derby 👊🔴 pic.twitter.com/VvidgWSFb1
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 10, 2025
Slot would have gone stronger at Plymouth
Slot stated he supposed to play a stronger group towards Plymouth however circumstances meant his palms had been tied.
“It was tough as a result of the plan was to play with Joe [Gomez] for 60 minutes or longer. The plan was to begin Curtis [Jones] however he got here on Sunday and stated he didn’t really feel effectively sufficient to play so then impulsively we missed two vital gamers,” he stated.
“I feel folks know Darwin [Nunez’s] scenario that he grew to become a dad one or two days earlier than the sport and that occurred in Spain so he got here in a bit later.
“There have been some circumstances that weren’t good with regards to Plymouth. The concept was to play with a fair stronger group however that group nonetheless ought to have been in a position to win that recreation and the truth that we didn’t and the truth that we didn’t towards PSV as effectively additionally tells us that these gamers undoubtedly want these video games to get one of the best out of them.
“It’s so tough to get one of the best out of them in the event that they hardly play any video games and that’s once more why it’s disappointing for them.”
Van Dijk and Salah to return again in
Slot will discipline his massive weapons when Liverpool make the brief journey throughout Stanley Park with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah restored to the beginning line-up.
And he’s anticipating a response from the weekend setback.
He stated: “It ought to have an effect as a result of if you’re working at a membership like this, you must compete for each trophy, we’ve stated this from the beginning.
“We beat Accrington Stanley however to lose to Plymouth is, in fact, not acceptable. As a group and I feel our followers are disillusioned by that consequence.
“Now we have to point out a unique facet of us tomorrow as a result of it was not solely the consequence, the efficiency was removed from what Liverpool requirements are as effectively.”
Prepared for the ultimate Merseyside derby at Goodison Park 👊🔴 pic.twitter.com/zzI2TfG6G1
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 11, 2025
Goodison prepared for remaining derby
It will likely be the ultimate Merseyside derby to be performed at Goodison Park earlier than Everton transfer to their new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock and the environment is prone to be electrical.
“I feel it’s an additional cause why the environment shall be even higher than all those earlier than,” stated Slot. “I haven’t been to 1 earlier than however folks inform me at Goodison Park, as at Anfield, it’s all the time a incredible environment.
“You need to be mentally robust because the away group. When you could have the ball it’s a must to be as calm as you possibly can however it isn’t the primary time for these gamers that they’re taking part in in atmospheres like this so I hope they’ll give attention to what they must do.
“I assume our gamers are prepared for an additional battle tomorrow for the straightforward cause that they’ve been prepared for the entire season and plenty of of them are skilled on this tie.”
Trent might return
Gomez, who limped off at Plymouth after simply 11 minutes, is out however Trent Alexander-Arnold may very well be match to return.
“Trent has performed a part of a coaching session with us yesterday so let’s see how he’s in the present day,” stated Slot. “He’ll prepare hopefully with us once more in the present day after which we are going to determine if we take him to the sport.
“Joe, it’s the identical leg once more the place he had the damage final time so we’re nonetheless assessing that however he will certainly not be out there tomorrow. It’s a concern [that it is the same leg].”
