Liverpool head coach Arne Slot insisted his Premier League leaders wanted no motivation from Man City‘s defeat at Brighton to beat Aston Villa and take a five-point lead into the worldwide break.
A way of alternative swept by Anfield simply earlier than kick-off following information of the defending champions’ loss on the south coast however Slot stated that was not the driving issue behind their 2-0 win – the fifteenth victory in 17 video games this season.
“I can’t inform what the followers felt, I can solely say if my gamers want additional motivation that may not be a good suggestion,” stated the Dutchman.
“In the event you play at Anfield in entrance of your personal followers it is best to solely be motivated. You shouldn’t want motivation from one other match.”
Liverpool’s 28 factors from 11 matches has been bettered solely as soon as within the final 34 seasons, in 2019-20 once they had 31 factors on the identical stage and went on to win the league comfortably.
Having crushed Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday to make it 4 wins from 4 within the Champions League, simply days after coming from behind to defeat Brighton, it has been a major week in Slot’s brief Anfield profession.
However he’s not getting carried away by his rivals’ slip-ups as he’s conscious fortunes can shortly change.
“It was positively an enormous week however each sport is,” he added.
“Hopefully we can have lots of these weeks to come back. We are attempting to compete for the league, for the Champions League and for the cups as effectively.
“We additionally know it’s a lengthy season as effectively and the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Metropolis are able to successful so many video games in 17 as we did.”
The one draw back to the victory, secured by targets from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah, was a hamstring harm to Trent Alexander-Arnold which is more likely to rule him out of England’s forthcoming Nations League matches.
“That’s tough to say how severe it’s however it’s at all times a severe if a participant goes out within the first half,” stated Slot.
“He requested for it as a result of he felt one thing, so that’s initially not a very good signal.
“It’s at all times tough so shut after the sport to let you know precisely what it’s however let’s wait and see.
“I might be shocked if we’ll see him enjoying for the England nationwide workforce this week however hopefully he can.”
For the primary time Villa have misplaced 4 successive matches below supervisor Unai Emery.
“Clearly the consequence will not be good however how we performed I’m assured. I’m assured as a result of I believe we’re in the best manner after this match,” he stated.
“We needed to get factors however as we speak towards Liverpool we are able to settle for the consequence as a result of they’re actually feeling robust at house and not likely dominating and creating possibilities towards us.
“They received and we settle for it.”
Villa had two penalty appeals within the second half, one for a shirt pull on Pau Torres and one other for a foul on the defender.
“For me it was clearly a penalty as a result of he pulled the shirt of Pau Torres. I do know that in Europe it is a penalty, however right here in England they need to use VAR,” he stated.
“On this state of affairs it was clear. I at all times respect the choices of referees and I settle for it, however for me, once I watched it, with VAR it was a transparent penalty.
“It was an important second within the sport as a result of if we may have the prospect to shoot the penalty, perhaps the match would have been totally different.
“I settle for the consequence and the referee’s choice [but] I don’t agree.”
