Liverpool squeezed to a 1-0 win over Leicester City on Sunday as they moved to within three points of the Premier League title.
The Reds made hard work of the division’s second worst side, but ultimately came away with a deserved victory.
Had Trent Alexander-Arnold not fired Liverpool to the brink of championship glory, questions would likely have been asked about the nature of the Reds’ performance.
Although they created plenty at the King Power Stadium and could have won by more, it was not always a pretty watch from Liverpool on Easter Sunday.
The slightly lethargic performance followed on from a dismal second-half at West Ham and a disappointing loss against Fulham the week before.
And after seeing his team collect full points, Arne Slot had some suggestions as to why Liverpool have struggled for rhythm over recent matches.
Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty ImagesArne Slot offers lack of rhythm explanation
Liverpool have been brilliant this season and will be worthy Premier League champions.
No Reds supporter should be anything like disappointed with a season which very, very few people saw coming. The title will be celebrated long and hard when it arrives.
However, there is little question that performances could have been better recently. So, when asked if he had tweaked things at half-time during his post-match press conference on Sunday, it was interesting to hear Slot speak on the lack of rhythm his side are showing.
“I don’t think we had to press that much because the goalkeeper mostly kicked the ball long,” answered the Liverpool head coach.
“But the way we press we want the one closest to the ball to press, especially if we need a goal. That can sometimes mean that it’s 4-2-4 and it can sometimes mean that the winger and the full-back jumps, it’s just getting rhythm into the game, because it’s quite difficult for us to get rhythm and momentum into the game because most teams we are facing every time there’s a throw-in they take one-and-a-half minutes to take that throw-in.
“So, yeah, the only thing we can do about it is keep the ball longer and that’s where I think we can and have to improve.”
Liverpool must move the ball quicker
It is not only about keeping the ball for longer where Liverpool must improve. The Reds also have to move it quicker when they have it.
Opposition teams will take their time when restarting the game, there is not really much you can do about that. But Liverpool cannot let it affect their own performance.
Far too often recently it has felt as though the Reds start matches by feeling their way into them.
Although this can be successful in stifling the opposition to a degree, it has also had a tendency to strangle Liverpool at the same time.
Invariably the Reds often do find a way. But getting more pace and rhythm into games right from the first whistle has to be something Slot looks to improve next season.