Reds' boss, Arne Slot says “we’ve had two draws too many” as he previews Thursday night’s game with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. Arne Slot discussed injuries, inconsistency and belief in his side as they prepare for another major test. As ever, the Dutchman touched on injuries, form, style of play and the challenge posed by the current league leaders.

Fitness Updates

He told the media that Hugo Ekitike remains a doubt for the game, with Arne Slot explaining that the forward is still “in between” joining full training sessions and being given extra rest. While the issue is not expected to sideline him for long, the Liverpool head coach stopped short of confirming his availability for this game.

Slot also touched on defensive availability:

Searching for Consistency

Despite Liverpool’s current unbeaten run, the manager admitted to a slight frustration with recent results, admitting his side have drawn “two games too many”. While the Reds are not yet where he wants them to be- or where many will expect them to be, he stressed that the foundations for something special are there once the squad is fully fit.

Arne Slot chose to remain optimistic as he referenced other teams who have gone on to win trophies despite imperfect league form, reinforcing his belief that Liverpool can still make this a memorable season. He will, of course, turn his attention to hopefully having a successful FA Cup campaign when that competition begins on Monday.

Style of Play and Criticism

The manager was also asked about criticism from some supporters who have labelled his football as “dull and boring”. While admitting it is “not easy to hear”, he gave a balanced response.

“I wouldn’t use those words,” he said, “but I understand some of the frustration.” He reiterated that his philosophy has always been centred on attacking football, even if results and performances do not always align with that ideal.

Credit: This is Anfield

“I want to win as many trophies as I can, but I also want to play attractive football,” he added. While he believes Liverpool have done that at times this season, he acknowledged the need to find better solutions against opponents who do not want to play expansively themselves.

A Tough Test at the Emirates

Looking ahead to Arsenal, he was generous in his assessment of Mikel Arteta’s side, stating they “deserve to be on top this season”. He admitted that a win in north London would be significant, not just in the league table but psychologically.

Credit: Football London

“Winning games like this shows you can compete in the latter stages of the FA Cup and the Champions League,” he explained, possibly also serving as a reminder that Liverpool have already beaten Arsenal at Anfield and have overcome many other tough opponents, notably Real Madrid earlier in the season.

No Distractions - Transfer News

Finally, as to be expected, he shut down questions on Liverpool’s reported interest in Crystal Palace defender Marc Guéhi and the future of Harvey Elliott, currently on loan at Aston Villa. The message was brief and firm: he does not discuss players who are not currently Liverpool’s.

He also insisted that he is happy with the squad that he has available, particularly significant as the transfer window is currently open. Injuries have not helped at times this season, something that Arne Slot pointed out: “This group is talented if everyone is available…so this club is in a very good place if everyone is available. The short future and mid to long-term future."

He concluded by saying; “This club has always tried to do smart things”, and with that in mind it may be interesting to see how the window pans out. 

Overall, the Red’s manager struck a reflective but confident tone. While inconsistency and criticism remain part of the narrative, belief within the squad is strong and he knows they have the potential to get a result on Thursday. It will be a tough test but the game represents another chance to prove Liverpool’s potential on a night when everyone will be watching.