Arne Slot only ever looks at what is front of him, and here that is Liverpool’s upcoming Premier League clash with Leicester City. Three points on Boxing Day will go a long way towards his team’s title charge.
Even if Liverpool’s opponent is one in the lower area of the Premier League table, the Reds will do well to remember they have a history of causing upsets. In 2021/22 it was Ademola Lookman who struck around this time of year and they also won at the King Power Stadium the season before that as well.
Adding to that, Slot has his own personal rivalry with ex-Manchester United striker and coach Van Nistelrooy to throw extra spice into this winter warmer of a fixture.
If he prevails on December 26, Liverpool’s head coach will have picked up his first victory against his fellow Dutchman.
But in the opposite camp, Slot was left to ruminate over this frustrating defeat. Just as he has not been afraid to speak out since becoming head coach at Anfield, he aired his grievances with his team’s defending for three of the goals conceded.
On Gakpo’s dangerous corners, he commented: “Why did it go the wrong way today? I think two moments were decisive and they both came from a goal against from a standard situation, precisely at moments when we seemed to have the upper hand.
“But I do not agree with the suggestion that we are vulnerable in set pieces. That was the case today and indeed in the preparation as well. But the preparation should not be a guideline. Although it does not change the fact that today it was too easy and two goals from corners is too much in a top match.”
Luckily for Slot Gakpo is now not a weapon of Van Nistelrooy’s, but his own. Under Dutch tutelage the attacker has netted nine goals and providing three assists in all competitions this term.
Meanwhile for December 26’s meeting, the Leicester manager seems to be without danger man Jamie Vardy and therefore reliant on Patson Daka to come up with the goods.
