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Liverpool boss Arne Slot has told his players they have “no excuses” for their recent poor form, and has called on them to use the pain of recent defeats as motivation against Crystal Palace later.
The Reds are in action in the Carabao Cup at Anfield today as they take a welcome break from Premier League matters, having fallen to a fourth straight league defeat at the weekend at Brentford.
That loss was the fifth in the last six games across all competitions, with Liverpool’s form having dropped off a cliff in recent weeks as concerns grow over the new-look squad after the summer overhaul in the transfer window.
A tie against Palace might not be the most welcome game at the moment for supporters, with Liverpool having already been beaten on penalties by Oliver Glasner’s side in the Community Shield, as well as falling to a dramatic defeat at Selhurst Park last month - the result that started the Reds’ dismal run of form.
There has been plenty of discussion about where Slot’s side has been going wrong as of late, but the Liverpool boss is adamant that his team won’t be using any excuses as they look to turn their form around in the cup.
"It goes without saying that our recent form has not reached the standards that you expect of us or that we expect of ourselves,” Slot said in his matchday programme notes ahead of the tie against Palace.
“This is, of course, a major disappointment, especially given the positive start we made to the season.
"From our perspective, there are no excuses. Yes, we are aware of the reasons and we will discuss them, but the one thing we cannot and will not do is use them as an excuse.
“Our responsibility is to recognise what is happening and put things right. There is no other option.
"Part of this process involves being hurt. We should be hurt by results like Saturday's when we lost to Brentford, and we should use the feelings this creates to further fuel our motivation. Not that anyone could accuse the players of a lack of effort – if anything, the opposite is true – but how we use this effort and desire is what will make the difference.”
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Slot also insisted that his side needs to find ways to combat the differing styles they’re coming up against this season. The Liverpool boss has faced criticism for some of his comments regarding opponents’ tactics of late, but he insists it’s down to him and his side to find a solution.
"We also have to work hard to play our football. There has been a lot of discussion about the direction that football has taken in England this season and while this kind of conversation is totally normal, we have to show that not only can we deal with these changes but also that we impose our game on our opponents.
"Again, I would be the first to admit that this has not happened enough up to now and we take responsibility for this. At the same time, I do not doubt either the determination or the ability of us to respond in the right way as a team. Saying that is the easy part, though. Now we have to show it.”
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