Premier League
First Place Now Is Virtually Meaningless – Says Liverpool Arne Slot
Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, is not getting carried away with his side topping the Premier League standings after their victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday, their fourth win in all competitions in less than two weeks.
Slot’s team has accumulated 15 points from six league matches, just one point ahead of reigning champions Manchester City and last season’s runners-up, Arsenal.
Saturday’s victory was the latest in a string of solid results for Liverpool, who defeated AC Milan 3-1 in the Champions League, beat Bournemouth 3-0 in the league, and then crushed West Ham United 5-1 in a League Cup third-round tie.
However, Dutch coach Slot insisted it did not mean Liverpool were title challengers.
“I always try to be realistic, and Jurgen’s work has been incredible; everybody knows this,” Slot said of former manager Jurgen Klopp, who stepped down after last season.
“Two years ago was the last time they played in the Champions League and they finished fifth. Now we have to prove that we can compete in the Champions League and the Premier League.
“After 19 games, it’ll tell me something but not after six.”
Ibrahima Konate scored his first-ever Premier League goal at Molineux, while Mohamed Salah successfully converted a penalty. Wolves had earlier equalized following some careless defending by Konate.
The French center-back Konate teased midfielder Ryan Gravenberch during their post-game interviews that he deserved to be named man of the match and not the Dutchman, who was presented with the award.
However, Slot was not laughing.
“Konate? Then maybe he forgot the moment we conceded a goal,” the Dutchman said. “That was the reason we conceded, as he wasn’t there, and it was avoidable.
“By conceding this way, they came back into the game, and the good thing for us is we immediately scored to make it 2-1. With only one goal making the difference, it makes it a difficult game until the end.”
Liverpool will host Bologna in a Champions League match on Wednesday.
