Arne Slot insists latest loss does not increase pressure on Liverpool

By Simon Peach, PA Chief Football Writer

Under-fire Arne Slot does not believe Liverpool’s sixth loss in seven matches has increased the pressure on his team ahead of this weekend’s clash with Aston Villa.

The Premier League champions won seven straight matches in all competitions as they bounced back from their shoot-out loss to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.

But that run came to a halt with a late defeat to the Eagles at Selhurst Park a month ago, sending the Reds into a spiral that they have yet to climb out of.

Palace got the better of Liverpool for the third time this season in Wednesday’s 3-0 Carabao Cup fourth round win at Anfield as Slot’s decision to leave out stars and make 10 changes backfired.

The Dutchman said he had no regrets despite their latest loss and brushed aside the suggestion it had increased the pressure heading into Saturday’s return to Premier League action at home to Villa.

“I don’t think it’s possible if you lose five out of six that there’s now after six out of seven even more pressure,” Slot said.

“If you’re on a run of results like this, if you play for Liverpool, if you manage Liverpool, you know the pressure is there and I don’t think it has changed much after this loss.

“But if it did then maybe the most positive thing about tonight was that the position we were in, 2-0 down and we weren’t really pushing for a goal because we weren’t able to, the fans were behind the team, were supporting us.

“That gives me the feeling that Saturday when our players will show how much it means to them, our fans will be incredibly supportive for us Saturday.

“But, again, we face a team that has rested in the week to play us, and that’s Villa.”

Liverpool could be boosted by the return of midfielder Ryan Gravenberch against Villa following an ankle issue, but British record signing Alexander Isak remains a doubt with to a groin complaint.

“I think Ryan has a good chance,” Slot said. “The other ones are going to be… yeah, let’s wait and see (Thursday) and Friday.

“I don’t know all of them, but I think Ryan has the best chance from all of them.”

Palace return to action with a home game against Brentford on Saturday after Oliver Glasner made a comparatively restrained five changes in the win at Anfield.

The reward is a Carabao Cup quarter-final away to Arsenal, with former Gunners striker Eddie Nketiah’s hamstring issue the only blemish on a positive night in the north-west.

“For me, it’s always important to stay in the rhythm,” Eagles boss Glasner said of his selection.

“We gave a few players a rest. Chris Richards had a small injury, Adam Wharton got ill. Ty Mitchell didn’t play, JP Mateta got a rest.

“Unfortunately, we had to bring him on at half-time because Eddie Nketiah got injured with his hamstring again, so that’s the only negative aspect from this evening.

“Eddie’s injury is really tough, especially for him, because it’s the next one after he missed the whole pre-season and the start of the season, so hopefully it’s not too serious.”