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Liverpool focused on Fulham and not title permutations, insists boss Arne Slot

Liverpool focused on Fulham and not title permutations, insists boss Arne Slot


Arne Slot is not interested in working out the permutations on what Liverpool require to win the Premier League with his sole focus being Sunday’s trip to Fulham.

The Reds took another giant step towards a record-equalling 20th top-flight title with last night’s 1-0 win over Merseyside rivals Everton and now require just 13 points from their remaining eight games to claim the trophy.

But Slot highlighted the difficult nature of the game against the Toffees as one reason why Liverpool won’t be getting ahead of themselves.

He said: “In theory so many things can happen. We felt yesterday how hard it is to win a Premier League game. Yes we won it and yes we are very happy with it but David Moyes deserves a lot of credit for how his team was lined up and how difficult he has made it for every single team they have played since he arrived there. It is nice for us that we beat them because we know how hard it is.

“It tells you that with eight games to go, every game is a challenge – starting with Fulham, who are having a very good season as well.

“We are not working on theories about how many points, we are taking the challenge of Fulham where we will need to be at our best again to get a result.”

Midfielder Jones may continue at right-back

England midfielder Curtis Jones was a surprise inclusion at right-back against Everton and he may reprise that role against Fulham if Conor Bradley is not deemed fit for the trip to Craven Cottage.

“Trent [Alexander-Arnold] and Joe [Gomez] will not be back in the upcoming weeks,” Slot said.

“Conor [Bradley], we will have to wait and see if he will be ready for the squad for Sunday. Curtis [Jones] is an option [at right-back] because he did well but Jarell [Quansah] did well a few times in the position also, so let’s wait and see.”

Slot was also unsure if Alisson will return in goal after sustaining a head injury while on international duty with Brazil. Caoimhín Kelleher deputised against Everton.

He said: “With Alisson it is simple, it is a concussion and you have to tick all the boxes and the moment he does he will be in goal – we are following the protocol.”

Time off is not necessarily beneficial

Liverpool have a full week off after the Fulham game due to their round-of-16 exit from the Champions League at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain.

It may give them an advantage in the title race but Slot was quick to admit he would rather his team were still involved.

The Dutchman said: “Looking back at the previous eight months you would say it’s a disadvantage because how well did we do by playing every three days? But, there must have been a few moments where we had one week rest as well and I assume because we’ve only lost once that we probably won that game as well.

“I would have loved to have played in the quarter-finals of the Champions League but unfortunately we played Paris St-Germain and now this is our situation and we accept it.

“It’s also a challenge because players stay fit in the programme of playing two times a week – now they have to put even more effort in during training sessions. You aren’t able to work as hard as you do against Everton or PSG if you don’t work hard enough during the week and that’s the challenge we face now.”





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