Liverpool making ‘step forward’ says Slot

Liverpool manager Arne Slot says the Champions have taken a ‘step forward’ despite only drawing with Sunderland in midweek

Last Sunday’s 2-0 win at West Ham ended a run of three straight defeats that had included a 3-0 home loss to Nottingham Forest and a 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven, both at Anfield.

But the Reds faltered again in midweek and only a Nordi Mukiele own goal and a stoppage-time goalline clearance from Federico Chiesa rescued a point against the newly-promoted Black Cats.

“Four points out of two games is different from the last two home games we’ve played, in which we lost both and conceded seven goals,” Slot said ahead of Saturday’s trip to Leeds.

“In the last two games, we were one deflection away from keeping two clean sheets. That’s a step forward if you compare it to seven goals conceded in two games. We did not concede from a set-piece, which is also important, and we got two results.

“There are positives to take, but of course we are still not where we want to be. Let that be obvious and clear.”

Liverpool go into the weekend in ninth place, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Slot has left Mo Salah on the bench in the past two games and the manager says he understands the discussion that has caused.

“He deserves that because of the player he has been for this club and for his team-mates for six or seven years,” Slot said. “It’s completely normal.

“If I don’t play players I have just brought to the club we are already talking about it so then it is completely normal that people talk about it when (Salah) isn’t playing.”