After Liverpool’s heavy 3-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium, head coach Arne Slot gave a blunt assessment of the game. In his post-match press conference, he laid bare the problems, acknowledged City’s dominance, and shifted the focus back to basics.
City were better across the board
Slot didn’t hide from criticism. He said: “They were, in every aspect of football, better than us in the first half.” Liverpool were second-best in duels, weaker in midfield, and unable to match City’s control and pace. The coach accepted the result was a fair reflection of the match.
The disallowed goal won’t excuse the loss
A goal by Virgil van Dijk was disallowed for offside interference by Andy Robertson, a decision Slot called “not clear and obvious”.
Despite the controversy, Slot admitted this alone didn’t cost the game. The broader problems were deeper and more systematic.
Tackling tactical problems and mid-game decisions
Slot pointed to City’s overload in midfield and noted Liverpool’s struggle to cope: “We had to run a lot because they were so much better on the ball.” He also admitted his team’s tactical implementation failed: players were out of position, reactions were slow, and the plan didn’t work as intended.
Time to stop thinking about titles
Perhaps most striking was Slot’s shift in tone. After a bright start to the season, he reversed course: “The last thing I should speak about now is the title race… we need to improve.” Now sitting eighth in the table, the focus has to be results, not fanfare.
Author’s Insight
In the end, Slot’s honesty is refreshing — but worrying. When a coach says “we were second best in every aspect”, it signals a deeper reset. For Liverpool this is a moment to reset expectations, rebuild systems, and earn momentum again. The good news: he’s aware, candid, ready to fix. The bad news: fixing those big tactical holes won’t happen overnight. Fans should watch the coming games not for promises, but for visible change.
As featured on Walkon.com
