Arne Slot admitted Liverpool's first-half season challenges after their 0-0 Premier League draw with Leeds United at Anfield on New Year's Day—the first goalless outing in 84 matches under his management. Despite extending an unbeaten run to eight games, the Reds trail leaders Arsenal by 12 points.
The stalemate followed Liverpool's worst run of results in 71 years and came ahead of a trip to Fulham.
Slot was candid on the title race: "I think there are two teams," he said of Arsenal and Manchester City, with Aston Villa close behind. "Arsenal created a bit of a gap by beating Villa and those two teams are quite far away from us and we should not look at those two at this moment in time."
Outlining the campaign, the Dutch coach described a strong start with tight results, a phase of bad luck despite competitiveness, and the current unbeaten streak that remains demanding. "We have had our struggles throughout," Slot noted. "Now we have been eight games unbeaten but... every single game we play it’s hard work."
Injury latest: Defender Joe Gomez trained on Friday and could return at Craven Cottage, while midfielder Wataru Endo stays sidelined. Forward Florian Wirtz is doubtful after tweaking his hamstring against Leeds.
Slot also thanked departing set-piece coach Aaron Briggs. "First of all I want to thank him for the one and a half years we worked together because he’s been a big part of us winning the league last year," he said, without naming a replacement.
