Arne Slot has outlined Liverpool’s focus and challenges ahead of their New Year’s Day Premier League meeting with Leeds United at Anfield, as the Reds aim to stretch their strong recent form. Liverpool go into the contest on the back of four consecutive wins and seven games unbeaten, with confidence growing around the squad.
The significance of the fixture and Liverpool’s momentum heading into it were highlighted by SoftFootball in the build-up to the match. That positive feeling has also been echoed within the dressing room.
Speaking after the recent 2-1 win over Wolves, Conor Bradley pointed to Liverpool rediscovering rhythm while acknowledging there is still room for improvement, a theme that aligns closely with Slot’s message ahead of Leeds that was shared on the club’s official X account.
Slot began by addressing Florian Wirtz’s adaptation to life in England, explaining that settling off the pitch often goes hand in hand with performances on it. Drawing from his own experience abroad, Slot explained how a new country and league can be demanding, especially given the Premier League’s intensity.
He stressed that Wirtz’s substitutions have been about physical demands rather than form, saying:
I didn’t take Florian out because he played bad, I took him out because he was hardly able to keep on running anymore. That has also been the situation with him but also that tells you about the new players that we’ve brought in and how big of a step it is to adjust to these intensity levels.
On Curtis Jones, Slot highlighted the midfielder’s growing responsibility and reliability. He explained that Jones’ desire to always be involved is usually a strength, especially when combined with his improved fitness. Slot praised his ability to handle pressure, pointing to moments against Wolves, while also noting how injuries elsewhere make Jones’ availability even more valuable.
He said:
I think the first and most positive thing for him is that he’s able to stay fit for four or five games in a row now and he’s played indeed 90 minutes every single time.
Slot also reflected on how conceded goals have shifted momentum in recent matches. He explained that Liverpool’s performances against Tottenham and Wolves were largely strong until those moments, reinforcing how decisive goals can be in football.
He said:
Goals have a massive impact on the momentum of a game and that’s what’s been shown in the last two games of ours for sure.
When discussing game management, Slot pointed to limited substitution options, referencing how players like Wataru Endo were previously used to close games out. He stressed how injuries have reduced those options, making current results even more impressive.
Looking ahead, Slot is confident Liverpool’s summer signings will continue to improve as understanding grows, while full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are still bedding into his system.
Finally, reflecting on the chaotic 3-3 draw at Elland Road, Slot admitted Leeds caused more problems when switching to a back four, saying he will study that phase closely ahead of another demanding test at Anfield.
