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Arne Slot dismissed the speculation that Liverpool may gain advantage from Sunday’s shock FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle and demanded his group present a “completely different facet of us” after they face Merseyside rivals Everton tomorrow evening.
Liverpool fielded a weakened group at Dwelling Park on the weekend and got here unstuck because the Championship strugglers received 1-0 to finish the Reds’ hopes of a quadruple.
Some pundits steered being out of 1 competitors might strengthen Liverpool’s probabilities of success within the Premier League, Champions League and EFL Cup – they meet Newcastle within the closing at Wembley subsequent month – however Slot was not on the lookout for positives for what was an embarrassing setback.
He stated: “There was a smart man that after stated to me, nothing good comes from shedding a soccer sport and I fully agree.
“We’d positively have ready to play six video games in 18 days or seven in 21 or eight in 24 as a result of that’s the schedule we’re in. Now with us shedding this sport, there’s one second that we now have a standard week, however that’s positively not what we wished once we went to Plymouth.”
Onto the Merseyside derby 👊🔴 pic.twitter.com/VvidgWSFb1
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 10, 2025
Slot would have gone stronger at Plymouth
Slot stated he meant to play a stronger group in opposition to Plymouth however circumstances meant his palms had been tied.
“It was tough as a result of the plan was to play with Joe [Gomez] for 60 minutes or longer. The plan was to start out Curtis [Jones] however he got here on Sunday and stated he didn’t really feel effectively sufficient to play so then rapidly we missed two vital gamers,” he stated.
“I believe individuals know Darwin [Nunez’s] state of affairs that he turned a dad one or two days earlier than the sport and that occurred in Spain so he got here in a bit later.
“There have been some circumstances that weren’t excellent in relation to Plymouth. The concept was to play with a good stronger group however that group nonetheless ought to have been in a position to win that sport and the truth that we didn’t and the truth that we didn’t in opposition to PSV as effectively additionally tells us that these gamers positively want these video games to get the most effective out of them.
“It’s so tough to get the most effective out of them in the event that they hardly play any video games and that’s once more why it’s disappointing for them.”
Van Dijk and Salah to come back again in
Slot will subject his large weapons when Liverpool make the brief journey throughout Stanley Park with the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah restored to the beginning line-up.
And he’s anticipating a response from the weekend setback.
He stated: “It ought to have an effect as a result of in case you are working at a membership like this, it is best to compete for each trophy, we’ve stated this from the beginning.
“We beat Accrington Stanley however to lose to Plymouth is, in fact, not acceptable. As a group and I believe our followers are disenchanted by that consequence.
“Now we have to indicate a unique facet of us tomorrow as a result of it was not solely the consequence, the efficiency was removed from what Liverpool requirements are as effectively.”
Prepared for the ultimate Merseyside derby at Goodison Park 👊🔴 pic.twitter.com/zzI2TfG6G1
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) February 11, 2025
Goodison prepared for closing derby
It will likely be the ultimate Merseyside derby to be performed at Goodison Park earlier than Everton transfer to their new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock and the environment is prone to be electrical.
“I believe it’s an additional purpose why the environment will likely be even higher than all those earlier than,” stated Slot. “I haven’t been to 1 earlier than however individuals inform me at Goodison Park, as at Anfield, it’s at all times a incredible environment.
“You need to be mentally robust because the away group. When you could have the ball it’s a must to be as calm as you may however it’s not the primary time for these gamers that they’re taking part in in atmospheres like this so I hope they’ll give attention to what they need to do.
“I assume our gamers are prepared for one more battle tomorrow for the straightforward purpose that they’ve been prepared for the entire season and lots of of them are skilled on this tie.”
Trent might return
Gomez, who limped off at Plymouth after simply 11 minutes, is out however Trent Alexander-Arnold might be match to return.
“Trent has completed a part of a coaching session with us yesterday so let’s see how he’s at the moment,” stated Slot. “He’ll practice hopefully with us once more at the moment after which we’ll resolve if we take him to the sport.
“Joe, it’s the identical leg once more the place he had the damage final time so we’re nonetheless assessing that however he will certainly not be out there tomorrow. It’s a concern [that it is the same leg].”
