Arne Slot admitted he wasn’t entirely satisfied with Liverpool’s performance against Tottenham, even after his side secured a dominant 6-3 win.
The Reds controlled the match from the outset against Ange Postecoglou’s team, with the scoreline somewhat flattering the hosts.
Despite Tottenham’s late goals from Dejan Kulusevski and Dominic Solanke adding a veneer of respectability, Liverpool had effectively sealed the game by going 5-1 up.
However, Slot remained unimpressed by certain aspects of his team’s display.
The Liverpool boss criticized his players for a noticeable drop in intensity after the hour mark.
He expressed disappointment with their decision to ease off, describing it as “not good enough” despite the comfortable victory.
While the three points left Liverpool firmly in control at the top of the table, Slot’s comments highlight his commitment to maintaining high standards as the season progresses.
“For 60 minutes we did everything we had to do, we were comfortable and good with the ball. The main thing is we worked very, very hard,” the Liverpool boss told Match of the Day.
“But then the same players with the same quality thought that 10 or 15 minutes of not working as hard was good enough.
“Tottenam have enough quality to score goals if you give them chances.
“You have to be on top of your game for the whole game and we didn’t do that.”
Liverpool’s emphatic victory over Tottenham have pushed them four points clear at the top of the Premier League, with the added advantage of a game in hand over the rest of the top 10.
Despite their commanding position, Arne Slot has cautioned his side against complacency.
“It tells you we are a very good team. Still three games to go until halfway but if you go here and play the game we did then it shows we are a hard team to beat. If it was easy to win the league then every team would do it,” he told Sky Sports.
“The first 50-55 minutes is what you want, apart from the goal we conceded. 3-1 up and then it ended up being 5-1.
“We thought it was enough but Tottenham have far too much quality and they’re able to create and score.
“Against every team, there’s an opportunity.
“If they go for man for man which they did for the first goal, then it needs one player to outplay the other and then you have an extra man. They have a very good idea about football.
“If you give them too much space then they will hurt you. I like what Ange does.
“He is at a club where they don’t win that much in the last 15 to 20 years.
“They should be one of the best players in the world otherwise you don’t play for Liverpool.
“Mo [Salah] got two goals and two assists. He played a very good game.
“With Trent, the focus might be on the great cross for the first goal but playing against Son is not easy but he did very well.”
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