Liverpool head coach Arne Slot insisted his Premier League leaders wanted no motivation from Man Metropolis‘s defeat at Brighton to beat Aston Villa and take a five-point lead into the worldwide break.
A way of alternative swept by Anfield simply earlier than kick-off following information of the defending champions’ loss on the south coast however Slot mentioned that was not the driving issue behind their 2-0 win – the fifteenth victory in 17 video games this season.
“I can’t inform what the followers felt, I can solely say if my gamers want further motivation that will not be a good suggestion,” mentioned the Dutchman.
“If you happen to play at Anfield in entrance of your individual followers it’s best to solely be motivated. You shouldn’t want motivation from one other match.”
Liverpool’s 28 factors from 11 matches has been bettered solely as soon as within the final 34 seasons, in 2019-20 once they had 31 factors on the similar stage and went on to win the league comfortably.
Having overwhelmed Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday to make it 4 wins from 4 within the Champions League, simply days after coming from behind to defeat Brighton, it has been a big week in Slot’s brief Anfield profession.
However he’s not getting carried away by his rivals’ slip-ups as he’s conscious fortunes can rapidly change.
“It was positively a giant week however each sport is,” he added.
“Hopefully we could have a variety of these weeks to return. We try to compete for the league, for the Champions League and for the cups as effectively.
“We additionally know it’s a lengthy season as effectively and the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Metropolis are able to successful so many video games in 17 as we did.”
The one draw back to the victory, secured by targets from Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah, was a hamstring harm to Trent Alexander-Arnold which is prone to rule him out of England’s forthcoming Nations League matches.
“That’s troublesome to say how severe it’s however it’s at all times a severe if a participant goes out within the first half,” mentioned Slot.
“He requested for it as a result of he felt one thing, so that’s to begin with not a very good signal.
“It’s at all times troublesome so shut after the sport to inform you precisely what it’s however let’s wait and see.
“I’d be shocked if we’ll see him enjoying for the England nationwide staff this week however hopefully he can.”
For the primary time Villa have misplaced 4 successive matches underneath supervisor Unai Emery.
“Clearly the consequence just isn’t good however how we performed I’m assured. I’m assured as a result of I believe we’re in the fitting approach after this match,” he mentioned.
“We needed to get factors however as we speak in opposition to Liverpool we are able to settle for the consequence as a result of they’re actually feeling robust at residence and not likely dominating and creating probabilities in opposition to us.
“They gained and we settle for it.”
Villa had two penalty appeals within the second half, one for a shirt pull on Pau Torres and one other for a foul on the defender.
“For me it was clearly a penalty as a result of he pulled the shirt of Pau Torres. I do know that in Europe this can be a penalty, however right here in England they wish to use VAR,” he mentioned.
“On this scenario it was clear. I at all times respect the choices of referees and I settle for it, however for me, once I watched it, with VAR it was a transparent penalty.
“It was an important second within the sport as a result of if we may have the possibility to shoot the penalty, perhaps the match would have been totally different.
“I settle for the consequence and the referee’s choice [but] I don’t agree.”
