Arne Slot said Liverpool have no margin for error in the Premier League after making “far too many” mistakes already, as he prepares his side for a crucial test against Newcastle.
The Reds beat Qarabag 6-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday to secure their spot in the last-16 of the competition but sit sixth in the top-flight ahead of the game at Anfield on Saturday.
The victory in midweek will act as a welcome boost for Liverpool, who suffered a crushing 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth in their last league outing, but Slot insists there is no margin for error if the club want to secure a spot in the top four this season.
Alexis Mac Allister of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team’s fifth goal
“We already thought that every period was pivotal. That hasn’t changed,” he said in his pre-match press conference.
“The closer you come to the end, the [fewer] opportinities you have to make a mistake. We are now in a position where we cannot afford any mistakes; we have made far too many.
“Giving goals away in the last minute that do not do any justice for the performance. There is not a lot of room for mistakes anymore.”
Slot added: “Every game is crucial but the way we have positoned oursleves now makes every game more crucial. That is what we want to achieve [top four].
“We have experienced how tough it is to play against Newcastle; it is always a tough contest but for them as well.
“A home game at Anfield is always something to look forward to.”
No recognised right-back for Liverpool
Liverpool will be without a recognised right-back for the game against Newcastle after Slot confirmed Jeremie Frimpong would join Conor Bradley on the sidelines, having limped off during the win against Qarabag.
“He will definitely not be in the squad tomorrow,” Slot added.
Liverpool’s Jeremie Frimpong goes off injured early in the first half
“He is out for a few weeks but not as bad as we first thought. So something positive from something not so positive.”
When asked if Frimpong’s injury could prompt reinforcements before the January transfer window closes on Monday, Slot remained tight-lipped on any potential investments.
He continued: “I think you know the answer. The answer is if we think a player can help us and we think it is possible, we will do so. Those are conversations that do not take place in this room.
“I gave the answer I gave. If that means it’s likely or unlikely then okay. It could be a quiet day Monday. You want to play golf?”
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Liverpool manager Arne Slot addresses the fallout from Jeremie Frimpong’s injury, stressing that the club must make ‘smart’ decisions in the transfer market.
Jones and Konate return but who will play right-back?
Wataru Endo operated as a makeshift full-back in the Qarabag win but Slot has previously used both Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai in the position.
Jones is available after recovering from illness but Joe Gomez remains out. “Curtis is available but Joe won’t be but not much longer,” Slot said.
On Ibrahima Konate, who was away from the team on compassionate leave, he added: “He trained with us yesterday (Thrusday) and will be in the squad tomorrow (Saturday).”
Slot then provided an update on Alexander Isak’s recovery after breaking his leg in December, where he confirmed it would still be a “while” before he returned to the pitch.
“He is not even on the pitch yet. I think it is called a walker, he is just out of his walker,” said the Dutchman.
“That tells you he is not on the pitch and not expected on the pitch today or tomorrow. It will take a while before he is back, as we know.”
