Arne Slot has admitted Liverpool “didn’t present up in each a part of the sport” within the first half in opposition to Brighton, however was happy to see a change from the second half in opposition to Nottingham Forest.
Sure, Forest was on Slot’s thoughts once more after Liverpool’s newest win, however fortunately the boss might smile as he mirrored on the distinction within the second half between the Brighton match and the sport in opposition to Nuno Espirito Santo’s facet.
Within the first half on Saturday, the Reds have been outplayed by the Seagulls who accomplished extra passes and gained extra duels, exploiting Liverpool’s area so the half-time rating learn Liverpool 0-1 Brighton.
Slot wasn’t happy with the first-half efficiency, saying: “We didn’t present up in any respect in each a part of the sport, perhaps aside from the set-pieces half.
“However for the remainder we weren’t there, and if you happen to face an excellent group like Brighton it’s not sufficient to run as soon as, twice or thrice, it’s important to carry on operating.”
What was stated at half time: “I wasn’t screaming”
After half time, issues started to alter because the Anfield crowd bought concerned and pushed Liverpool on.
“We modified a little bit of techniques however that had nothing to do with ball possession, that had nothing to do with us popping out stronger within the second half,” Slot stated.
“All of it had to try this the gamers confirmed a special perspective and completely different depth.
“Due to this fact, I stated a couple of issues and we confirmed a couple of issues, but it surely wasn’t that I used to be screaming or fuming round. It’s simply ensuring the gamers perceive that this was not sufficient, and I believe they felt it themselves as properly.”
Whereas Liverpool’s efficiency after the break was removed from good, the introduction of Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones helped the Reds higher retain possession and offered some much-needed dynamism.
The second half noticed Liverpool handle seven pictures heading in the right direction to Brighton‘s one, in comparison with the primary half when Liverpool and Brighton had managed one and 4 respectively.
Slot continued: “On this recreation we have been 1-0 down at half-time which I believe we deserved.
“After which to return again so sturdy in opposition to such a high quality group that has spent a lot cash in recent times as properly, led by a couple of excellent managers in the previous couple of years, then to return again the way in which we did provides me quite a lot of confidence for the remainder of the season.
“However I additionally added after the sport to the gamers that 45 minutes of the soccer we performed within the first half will, in the long run, punish you someplace.”
Harking again and evaluating the gamers’ reactions to the second we half we noticed as Liverpool misplaced 1-0 to Forest in September, Slot added: “Typically you could have a tough interval after which you should battle again, and that’s what we did.
“I didn’t ask – I might love them to take action and so they did in the long run – however I didn’t ask them to attain two objectives, I solely requested them to play a special second half than we performed in opposition to Nottingham Forest, with a special mentality – so if issues go in opposition to you, it’s important to present up.
“Winners at all times do, and happily we’ve got quite a lot of winners in our group that confirmed up within the second half.”
