Liverpool boost Champions League hopes with gritty defensive resilience
Arne Slot believes Liverpool are keeping their Champions League qualification hopes alive by discovering a gritty resilience during a crucial period of the season.
Winning without playing well is traditionally considered the hallmark of champions.
While the Premier League title may be out of reach, this trait suggests the Reds can still secure a return to Europe’s elite competition.
Slot admitted the first half against Nottingham Forest was the worst of his tenure, yet his side still emerged with a victory.
Finding ways to win
Liverpool have become incredibly difficult to beat, even when failing to hit top gear.
The Merseysiders have lost just two of their last 20 matches across all competitions.
Both of those defeats required injury-time winners, suggesting the team is rarely out of contention.
The response to setbacks has been immediate, with victories following closely after losses to Bournemouth and Manchester City.
Defeat by City at Anfield had left the club staring at the prospect of Europa League football next term.
However, Slot’s men have since closed the gap on Chelsea, despite facing a challenging run of fixtures.
Defensive solidity returns
The key to this resurgence has been an improved defensive structure when under pressure.
Goalscorer Alexis Mac Allister admitted the performance levels dropped against Forest, but praised the team’s grit.
“Positioning, intensity, pressing: nothing was good. Well, maybe how we defended our box.”
Alexis Mac Allister, Liverpool midfielder
Slot has identified this box defending as a crucial development for his squad.
The Anfield club have kept seven clean sheets in their last 13 games in all competitions.
Furthermore, they have restricted opponents to an expected goals (xG) total of under 1.0 in eight of their last 10 league outings.
Konate’s growing influence
Even when opponents have dominated possession, this has not translated into high volumes of clear-cut chances.
Much of this improvement coincides with the form of Ibrahima Konate.
The French centre-back has been pivotal in stabilising the backline since his return to the starting XI.