Arne Slot ‘Far From Pleased’ Despite Liverpool’s Perfect Champions League Record
Liverpool may have secured a 1-0 victory over Girona in the Champions League, but head coach Arne Slot wasn’t exactly popping champagne after the final whistle. In fact, the boss was brutally honest in his post-match assessment, admitting he was “far from happy” with the performance. Yes, the Reds walked away with three points, but the display at the Estadi Montilivi left much to be desired.
The lone goal of the match came courtesy of a Mohamed Salah penalty in the second half. The spot-kick was awarded after Donny van de Beek fouled Luis Díaz inside the box. While the result keeps Liverpool’s European campaign flawless—six wins in six games—Slot made it clear that his team’s ambitions of going all the way in the competition will require a significant step up in quality.
Slot’s Brutal Honesty: “Far From Pleased”
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Slot didn’t hold back. “If you ask me about all the six games, I am really pleased with all the results and the performances in the five games,” he said. “I am far from pleased about the performance tonight.”
Slot pointed out two key issues that plagued Liverpool’s performance. First, he criticized the team’s lack of intensity against a Girona side that, in his words, “has such a good idea about football.” He compared Girona’s ability to bring the ball out to that of European heavyweights like Real Madrid and Manchester City, emphasizing that Liverpool’s pressing game was nowhere near the level required.
“If you are waiting to press and are so easily outplayed, this team can cause you problems,” Slot explained. “This is what they showed throughout Champions League except [against] PSV.”
Slot even went as far as to say he felt sorry for Girona, who he believed deserved more than just three points from their group-stage campaign. “We have an incredible goalkeeper,” he added, acknowledging Alisson’s heroics. “When we lost the ball, we were not aggressive enough. Hardly any control at all of the game. Maybe the second half was a bit better.”
Alisson: The Hero Liverpool Needed
One undeniable bright spot for Liverpool was the return of Alisson Becker. The Brazilian goalkeeper, sidelined since Oct. 5 with a hamstring injury, made his comeback in style. Alisson pulled off a series of crucial saves to secure Liverpool’s fifth clean sheet in Europe this season. Slot didn’t hesitate to heap praise on his No. 1, calling him “the best goalkeeper in the world.”
“He definitely didn’t look like he’d been away,” Slot said. “I said as a bit of a joke the players wanted to test his fitness today [giving up chances].”
Slot continued, “He showed today what I said so many times—that he’s our first goalkeeper. That’s nothing to do with Caoimhin [Kelleher], who did well, but [Alisson] showed today he’s one of the best, in my opinion, the best goalkeeper in the world. Let’s hope he can keep these performances going and stay fit.”
Darwin Núñez’s Struggles Continue
While Alisson shone, Darwin Núñez had a night to forget. The Uruguayan striker missed several chances against Girona and has now scored just three goals in 19 appearances for Liverpool this season. Naturally, questions about his confidence were raised post-match.
Slot, however, came to Núñez’s defense. “What I can agree on is that he missed a few chances; then it is a question if he’s low on confidence,” Slot said. “I think every striker has a moment when everything goes in and then a period where [they] try so hard and don’t score. But the good thing is we have many players who can score. He was a threat but unfortunately he couldn’t score.”
What’s Next for Liverpool?
Despite the underwhelming performance, Liverpool’s victory guarantees they will finish the sixth of eight league phase rounds in first place with 18 points. The final two rounds of the Champions League group stage are set to take place at the start of 2025, giving Slot and his squad some time to regroup and address the issues that surfaced against Girona.
For now, Liverpool fans can take solace in their team’s perfect record in Europe. But as Slot made abundantly clear, results alone won’t be enough if the Reds want to lift the Champions League trophy come May. The road ahead will demand more intensity, more control, and, perhaps most importantly, more clinical finishing from players like Núñez.
Key Takeaways
- Liverpool secured a 1-0 win over Girona, maintaining their perfect Champions League record.
- Arne Slot was critical of the team’s performance, citing a lack of intensity and control.
- Alisson Becker returned from injury and delivered a stellar performance, earning praise as “the best goalkeeper in the world.”
- Darwin Núñez’s struggles in front of goal continue, with just three goals in 19 appearances this season.
- Liverpool is guaranteed to finish the group stage in first place with 18 points.
As the Champions League heats up, Liverpool will need to find another gear if they hope to turn their perfect record into European glory.
Originally Written by: Sam Marsden
