Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised Pep Guardiola, calling the Manchester City boss the best coach in the world, ahead of their Premier League showdown at Anfield on Sunday.
“They are still undergoing evaluations, so it’s tough to provide any certainty at this stage,” Slot explained during his pre-match press conference regarding the conditions of Ibrahima Konate and Conor Bradley.
“It’s never ideal when Conor has to leave the pitch prematurely, and Ibrahima couldn’t even manage to walk off after an excellent display against Real Madrid. He deserved to join the fans in celebration, but unfortunately, that wasn’t possible. However, we’re fortunate to have Trent Alexander-Arnold fit and ready to step in,” he said.
“Everyone focuses on their results, but when you face them, you truly analyze their performance,” Slot remarked. “Against Brighton, they took an early lead and could have easily scored a couple more. They also had opportunities to make it 2-3 against Tottenham and Feyenoord.
“They continue to be an outstanding team, which is why I consider Guardiola one of the best coaches in the world. He always discovers innovative solutions to challenges. It wouldn’t surprise me if he came up with another groundbreaking tactic this time. He was the pioneer in pushing full-backs into midfield and using a center-back as a No. 6. His creativity and fresh ideas continue to inspire coaches globally.”
Addressing Liverpool’s injury concerns, Slot added: “Injuries only become a talking point when the results aren’t going well. The fact that no one is discussing ours shows we’re performing strongly. We’ve had key players like Alisson, Diogo Jota, and Trent Alexander-Arnold unavailable—players who’ve been pivotal in recent years—but it’s encouraging that their absence hasn’t dominated discussions.”
When asked about player roles, Slot commented: “Every player should aim to be the first choice in the team, not just in the goalkeeper position. It’s up to the individual to embrace their role. Since the start of the season, Kelleher has shown an exemplary attitude in accepting his position. It’s too early to speculate about next season, but I want every player to have the hunger to be involved in every game.”
