Arne Slot makes honest Liverpool admission and spots 'promising signs' before crucial period

Liverpool will host Leeds United in the Premier League today just a few weeks after an eventful 3-3 draw at Elland Road, with Arne Slot speaking ahead of the game

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Arne Slot says there have been signs of improvement from his Liverpool players of late — though more is required in the next few months to cement a place in the Champions League.

Since the 3-3 draw with Leeds United a few weeks ago, Liverpool has won four games on the spin. It beat Inter Milan in Europe first, and then Brighton, Spurs and Wolves in the Premier League.

"For one reason or another, this has been more challenging for us than we would like this season," Slot writes in the official matchday program ahead of Liverpool hosting Leeds at Anfield.

"But there are also promising signs with the new players having more of an influence and the understanding between all of our players getting better after a summer of change.

"The hope and also the expectation would be that these elements will continue to improve in the second half of the season.

"Last season, we were able to succeed with a group of players who, by and large, had been together for some time, so it makes sense that there would be a period of adaptation when this situation changed.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

"We were aware that this was likely to happen during the summer and injuries have meant some of our new signings have not been available to us as much as we would have liked, but there is no question that now is the time to kick on."

After facing Leeds, Liverpool has successive away games against Fulham and Arsenal. Before the end of January, it will take on Barnsley (FA Cup), Burnley, Marseille (Champions League), Bournemouth, Qarabag (Champions League) and Newcastle.

"It has been only one month since our two clubs (Liverpool and Leeds) last met, but a lot has happened in that period, with a busy run of fixtures producing good results for both teams," Slot continued.

"On that eventful night at Elland Road, we showed our quality, particularly in open play, and did really well to score three goals at a stadium that is known to be difficult for visiting teams, but we also let ourselves down at key moments, which led to us dropping two points.

"I said afterwards that the nature of that result meant everyone who cares about Liverpool would feel the same sense of disappointment — the players, staff and supporters especially — and this is why I am so pleased with our response.

"I would be the first to say it has not been perfect and that there are a number of areas where we still need to find improvement and consistency.

"But at the same time, we have won four successive matches, which has allowed us to find some stability as we continue to strive for our best form."