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Arne Slot praised the ever-improving Liverpool midfield amid title race
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot praised the constant improvement from regular midfielders that helped outperform others in the Premier League title race. Slot highlighted that the midfield provided goals when the team needed them, helping the team during this congested period.
The Reds beat Newcastle United 2-0 in a comfortable home game, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister scoring the goals. The midfield trio of Mac Allister, Szoboszlai and number-six Ryan Gravenberch have played a pivotal role for Liverpool this season.
Furthermore, Curtis Jones has also played a crucial role while rotating with the first-team regulars frequently throughout the current season. Wataru Endo has struggled to receive significant game time this season but remains a key squad player for the club.
Slot has used Endo regularly in the latter stages of the games while highlighting his incredible mentality to selflessly perform. While other people struggle with rustiness and lack of desire as a fringe player, Endo has delivered impressive performances consistently.
Speaking in the post-match press conference (via Liverpoolfc.com), Slot highlighted the improvement that the Liverpool midfield has enjoyed while playing a crucial role in the Premier League title race. He said:
“I think they’ve improved, but if I would tell you they didn’t improve, no-one improved, then I probably would give myself a lot of criticism. They have put so much work in and the team is playing so well together that these players did improve. If you wear the Liverpool shirt as a midfielder, you should score goals, maybe except for the No.6 but a 10 or an eight should provide goals as well if needed. Not always it has been needed and sometimes they provide the assist, but today we depended on goals from them as well and they showed up.”
Earlier this season, Sky Sports’ pundit Gary Neville infamously and shamelessly called Manchester United’s midfield better than the Reds’ midfield. As Liverpool midfield played a pivotal role in the team’s success this season, United currently find themselves in 15th position.
Gravenberch has established himself as one of the best defensive midfielders in the league with incredible consistency and availability. Meanwhile, Szoboszlai has enjoyed praise for his unrelenting work rate combined with his technical qualities on the ball.
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Mac Allister is the cog that connects the defence with the attack and one of the most crucial regular starters. While Jones has struggled with inconsistency, there is no doubt that his style of play suits Slot’s tactical preferences.
