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Arne Slot has warned Liverpool’s players that they need to understand "a moment can change a game," despite the Reds maintaining their 100 percent winning start to the new Premier League season.
A 2-1 win over Everton preserved that record, with Ryan Gravenberch and Hugo Ekitike grabbing the vital goals. But it wasn’t a comfortable conclusion for Slot’s side, with Idrissa Gueye’s second-half strike ensuring Liverpool had to remain switched on to the very end.
In fact, the game followed a similar pattern to the majority of fixtures this season. In four of the six league and European matches, Liverpool has established a two-goal lead, only for the opposition to respond with goals of its own.
Against Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Atletico Madrid, that lead was wiped out, only for Liverpool to secure victory via late winning goals.
That wasn’t needed against Everton, but the Reds’ penchant for taking a commanding position in games and then easing off was evident once again in the derby. It is a concern for Slot, who admits his players must not let their grip of matches slip.
“I think we managed the game really well, but we didn't manage some moments really well,” claimed the Dutchman after the 2-1 win at Anfield.
“This was also the thing I said before the game. There is a lot to like, but we have to understand a moment can change momentum.
“This is what happened against Bournemouth, where we were 2-0 up, it was our game but a silly trick and we conceded [the] 2-1. The set-pieces against Newcastle, conceding just before half-time against Atletico Madrid, when we also played so well in the first half.
“We have to understand a moment can change a game, no matter how well you play, no matter what you do, always fight for these moments,” he continued.
“This is where we can improve a little bit, but we managed the game in general really well. I don't think they had a chance after they scored the 2-1, but it always feels a bit difficult if you're only 2-1 up.”
Slot was also asked about Ryan Gravenberch’s comments that he has been afforded more room to advance in a new tactical tweak this season.
“I think this is the evolution of a team,” he replied. “You constantly try to do different things. You try to keep what's really good, but other teams try to adjust to us as well, so we need to constantly evolve.
“Apart from that, we have different players now than we had last season, so sometimes you adjust a little bit also by the quality of the players you have now compared to the ones we had last season.
“I wouldn't say [he has] freedom, but he has the moments that he can help the attack – but that has a lot to do with the way the other team presses. He has a bit more freedom.”
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