Press conferences – like introductory paragraphs – can drone on and on and… so let’s not do that here. Below are all the key points, hints, hidden meanings, spoilers and more to emerge from Slot’s press conference with all of the rubbish responses to the irrelevant questions taken out. It’s 2025, ain’t nobody got time for waffle.
Explanation for losing streak / Salah concerns
Slot blamed Liverpool’s defence and not their attack for their three-match losing streak prior to the international break. “We have to find answers,” declared the Dutchman.
Liverpool’s inability to defend set pieces – four of the nine league goals they’ve shipped were from dead-ball situations – is a big issue they’re addressing. “It is clear that conceding four set piece goals is too much for a team that wants to compete.”
Liverpool are conceding too many crosses into the box, especially from the right side. Mohamed Salah not tracking back – which is partly due to Slot’s instructions – has been highlighted as to why elsewhere in the media, but Slot believes if Salah had been more clinical with his own chances against Chelsea, no one would be talking about his defending.
Slot refused to dig out Salah when asked specifically about the Egyptian’s loss of form – “There should always be a reaction, not only from Mo but all.”
No excuses for Isak and Mac Allister
Alexander Isak is almost fully up to speed following a disrupted pre-season while his future hung in the balance. Slot now expects Isak to start banging the goals in on the regular, no excuses from here on out.
Alexis Mac Allister is in the same boat as Isak after his pre-season was hampered by niggling injuries. “He (Mac Allister) will be back at the level he and I want from now on,” insisted Slot.
Liverpool vs Man Utd selection hints / Injury updates
Ibrahima Konate trained with Liverpool on Friday after returning early from international duty with France due to a thigh issue. Expect Konate to start alongside Virgil van Dijk.
Ryan Gravenberch is “completely fit.” In other words, he starts alongside Mac Allister in central midfield.
Alisson Becker will miss the Man Utd, Eintracht Frankfurt (Champions League) and Brentford games while he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Liverpool face Crystal Palace in the League Cup after that – a competition in which Giorgi Mamardashvili was always likely to start in anyway – meaning Alisson’s return game is shaping up to be vs Aston Villa on November 1.
Hugo Ekitike is expected to start at least one of the next three games in place of Isak. Liverpool’s next three games (Man Utd, Frankfurt, Brentford) come in a span of just seven days. Realistically, Ekitike’s start won’t be against Man Utd given the Isak comments. Let’s not forget, Liverpool signed Ekitike from… you guessed it, Frankfurt.
The rarely-spotted Federico Chiesa will see an uptick in minutes over the coming weeks after proving in his cameos that he “deserves” more playing time. If he does get on off the bench against Man Utd, the Italian looks sure to play more than 18 minutes, which is currently his longest outing in a single league game this season.
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