Liverpool performance ‘was difficult’ says Slot
The Reds were short of ideas in Anfiield draw
Liverpool boss Arne Slot said his side struggled for creativity in the drab goalless draw against in-form Leeds at Anfiield.
Hugo Ekitike headed wide from close range in the best moment of a poor match on New Year’s Day.
Slot was again without Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak and was left with a threadbare bench which contained several young players.
Slot said: “You would like to start the year with a win but it was difficult. I don’t think we were able to play many times through their low block.
“When we did we didn’t have enough bodies in front of goal and others times we were unfortunate.
“If you look at football then you see two ways of unlocking a low block. You need to pace, you need to be quick and dominate your one-on-one situations or you need a set-piece.
“We were close with a set-piece through Virgil [van Dijk] and close a few times with Jeremie [Frimpong] on one-on-ones.
“If you look at the bench there were four players that are 19 years or younger and a few that haven’t really played in the Premier League. This is what we have to accept and manage.”
The Reds stay fouuth in the Premier League after the draw, with 33 points from their first 19 games of the Premier League title defence.