Liverpool Boss Arne Slot Admits Reds Have ‘No Answer’ to Long Balls After Brentford Defeat
Liverpool manager Arne Slot has conceded that his side are still struggling to cope with teams deploying long-ball tactics and low defensive blocks, following a 3-2 defeat to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium. The loss marked Liverpool’s fourth consecutive Premier League defeat, leaving them in sixth place and piling further pressure on Slot just months into his first season in charge. Brentford executed their game plan to perfection on Saturday evening, completing 62 long passes — their highest total of the season — as they overpowered the Reds with their direct style of play. Dango Ouattara opened the scoring from a long throw by Michael Kayode, a scenario Liverpool had specifically trained for on Friday. Kevin Schade then doubled Brentford’s lead on the counter-attack before halftime, exposing the Reds’ vulnerabilities in transition once again. “It is definitely that teams have a certain playing style against us; it is a very good strategy to play,” Slot said in his post-match press conference.“We have not found an answer yet. Going 1-0 down after five minutes does not help, and while we can still score goals, we are conceding far too many. That is not just on the defence — it’s about all 11 players.” Liverpool did manage to find the net twice, but defensive lapses continued to undermine their efforts. The defeat means the Reds have now lost as many league games this season as in the entirety of last season. Slot also pointed to the club’s record-breaking £446 million summer spending spree — which brought six new signings to Anfield — as a factor in their inconsistent performances. “It has something to do with when you change a lot in the summer,” he admitted. “I did not expect it to go with four losses in a row.” Despite intensive preparation for Brentford’s long throws and counter-attacks, Slot lamented his team’s inability to execute the basics. “Today, I don’t think we did the basics right,” he said. “Too many duels were lost, too many second balls weren’t won. That was the main thing we have to improve. Every time, a different problem has cost us the game.” With Liverpool looking a shadow of their former selves, Slot now faces the difficult task of restoring confidence and defensive solidity before their next Premier League fixture.