Liverpool suffered a 1-2 defeat to Brighton at Amex Stadium on 21/3, with striker Danny Welbeck scoring both goals for the hosts. This loss meant Liverpool dropped crucial points in the race for a top 4 spot. Brighton, conversely, secured their 4th win in five matches, keeping their hopes of qualifying for European competition alive.
"Looking at the league table now, this defeat is truly painful, and it should be," Slot stated. "We dropped points against Wolves due to an unlucky goal, and then last week conceded in the 90th minute against Tottenham. Those incidents were even more serious than the loss to Brighton."
The Dutch coach highlighted that Liverpool's problems began even before kickoff and have recurred throughout this season. "After every good match, we expect to maintain or improve our form, but then we face squad issues again," he explained.
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Coach Slot reacts during Liverpool's 1-2 loss to Brighton in round 31 of the premier league at Amex Stadium, Brighton, England on 21/3/2026. Photo: Imago |
Slot cited injuries to Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak, along with Hugo Ekitike's early exit after just a few minutes. Goalkeeper Alisson Becker is also sidelined with a hamstring injury and will miss the upcoming Brazil national team call-up. "That's a recurring story this season," Slot emphasized. "No team can handle missing three key strikers. But my job isn't to find excuses; it's to find solutions."
Regarding the milestone of ten premier league losses this season – the most since the 2015-2016 season – Slot suggested this reflects both sides of the issue. "On one hand, it shows how excellent Liverpool's squads and coaches have been over the past ten years. On the other hand, we have many reasons for these results, from late goals conceded to injuries," he remarked.
The Dutch coach acknowledged the high expectations for Liverpool after their 2024-2025 championship title and an investment exceeding 600 million USD. However, the 47-year-old coach stated that the season has been more challenging than anticipated, though he stressed: "Regardless of the reasons, our current position is still not good enough."
When questioned about the international break, Slot indicated it is not a true rest period for the players. He referenced information from England coach Thomas Tuchel about many players having to join national team camps late due to excessive workload. "For us, many players will continue to play for their national teams. Quite a few are among those with the most minutes played this season. Due to injuries and a thin squad, we are forced to repeatedly use the same group of players," Slot revealed.
Despite these challenges, he praised the team's fighting spirit: "Players who competed midweek still pushed until the end of the match. Perhaps they aren't as fresh as before, but they don't give up – that's crucial for the final phase of the season."
Liverpool remains in 5th place with 49 points, one point ahead of Chelsea, two points behind 4th-placed Aston Villa, and six points adrift of Man Utd. After the international break, Slot's squad will face Man City in the FA Cup quarterfinals on 4/4.
Hong Duy (according to Daily Mail, Liverpoolfc.com)
