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Arne Slot has reacted to Curtis Jones' comments after Liverpool's 4-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, November 26. The Liverpool head coach believes he's in tune with the English midfielder, who opined that the Reds' loss to PSV was unacceptable.
Jones had sent a passionate plea to his teammates to give winning performances and show determination after they suffered their ninth defeat in their last 12 matches across competitions.
Jones asked his teammates to be a 'dog' on the football pitch and 'smash someone' to get back to winning ways. He said during his interview with CBS Sports (via GiveMeSport):
"It starts with just wanting to be a man out there and just wanting to tackle someone and be a dog out there. It's not always the fact that we've got these lads who are nice on the ball and we're just playing, playing, playing. Go and smash someone... The lads are looking at me as well and singing, 'go on then. Go smash someone.'"
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Responding to Curtis Jones' comments, Arne Slot said they are on the same page and that players try to give their best, though individual efforts can't be seen in the scoreline. The Dutch tactician said in the post-match press conference (via Liverpool's official website):
"You assume I heard what he said, which I didn't. He said we need to be dogs? Really good to bring it to the games, and this is what the players at least tried to do yesterday. This running data was very high and there were a lot of personal bests."
"The players try a lot but it didn't lead to anything in terms of the result. I think this is what he is saying: if we can bring it as a team to the game, this minimum is expect is we fight," he added.
The Reds have suffered three consecutive losses by a margin of three goals for the first time since December 1953.
Alisson Becker set to return ahead of Liverpool's league clash against West Ham United
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has claimed that Alisson Becker is expected to return ahead of the Reds' Premier League clash against West Ham United on Sunday, November 30.
Alisson, who missed the Reds' 4-1 UCL defeat to PSV due to an illness, will return in the weekend fixture. The Dutch tactician said (via the official website of Liverpool):
"Ali trained again with the team today, so we hope and expect him to be available at the weekend."
Slot also addressed Florian Wirtz's injury, revealing that the German midfielder will have his last day of rehabilitation on Thursday. As a result, the 22-year-old is expected to start training with the team again on Saturday.
The Reds' head coach also provided an update on Hugo Ekitike's back complaint, which led to his substitution in the second half against PSV. Slot affirmed that Ekitike's complaint is unlikely to become a big issue. The Dutch tactician also asserted that Joe Gomez is close to making his return for the Merseyside outfit.
