Arne Slot has challenged his Liverpool players to build on their strong start to the season by producing a complete performance when they face Arsenal today.
The Reds have collected maximum points from their opening two matches as they begin the defence of their Premier League title, defeating AFC Bournemouth on the opening weekend before edging Newcastle United on Monday night.
Both victories required late heroics after surrendering two-goal leads, leaving Slot impressed by his squad’s resilience but aware that improvements are needed in other areas of their game.
In his column in the matchday programme, the head coach writes: “Arsenal are a side that we have a lot of respect for and which has shown its quality consistently over the last few seasons, and we expect nothing other than a difficult game against them today.
“We have already had two extremely tough games in the league this season, against Bournemouth and Newcastle, and so to come into this game with maximum points is a real positive for us, and can hopefully give us a lot of confidence moving forward.
“Of course, as always, there are areas we know we can improve in, but I think the mentality and the character that we have shown already is something we can be happy with.
“We certainly showed that mentality and character up at Newcastle on Monday night. I said after the game that I had only experienced an atmosphere and a game like that once before since I came to England, and that was Everton away last season.
“So many things happened, the fans were so loud and so there for the home team, and at times it felt like complete chaos – almost nothing to do with tactics or good football.
“So to stay strong in that situation, to fight and compete for every ball and then, in the end, to find the quality to go and win the game says a lot about our players, I think. We will play better games of football this season, I am sure, but we might not get many better victories, given the circumstances and the way the game panned out.
“It was a special moment for Rio [Ngumoha], of course. To do that on his Premier League debut and at 16 years old shows you the talent and the personality that he has.
“We have seen that already in training and during our pre-season games, but the key for him now is that he keeps working hard and keeps developing. If he does, then he has the chance to have a very good career in the game.
“In terms of today, we can expect that the atmosphere will be a little more in our favour than it was up at Newcastle, and that is something we must use to our advantage.
“You guys were incredible and helped get us the three points against Bournemouth last time out here, and we will need you again as we take on one of the best teams in the league.
“Like I said, we know that there are areas in which we can be better, collectively. I have said many times before that my job is to always look for perfection, and we are not there yet as a team.
“The good thing is that, in both of our games so far, we have shown that we can compete and fight for a result even when we are not at our best. Those are very good qualities to have.
“Hopefully today we can show even more of our qualities. It will be a good challenge, but it is one we are all looking forward to.”
Read more: Liverpool submit £35m bid for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi
Cody Gakpo signs new long-term contract with Liverpool
Andy Robertson succeeds Trent Alexander-Arnold as Liverpool’s vice-captain
