The Reds are now seventh in the league after five losses in six games. London: Following a depressing 3-0 loss to Manchester City, Virgil van Dijk stated that Liverpool will bounce again, but manager Arne Slot acknowledged that the English champions cannot currently focus on the Premier League title pursuit. The Reds are now eight points behind leaders Arsenal in seventh place after suffering five losses in six league games. Goals by Erling Haaland, Nico Gonzalez, and Jeremy Doku brought Pep Guardiola’s team within four points of Arsenal, demonstrating that City is currently the Gunners’ biggest threat.
“The reality is that we lost 3-0 and that is a big blow,” stated Van Dijk, the captain of Liverpool. “We have no intention of giving up. We are prepared for a lengthy season and a significant battle as we enter November.” Van Dijk’s goal at 1-0 was controversially disallowed because Andy Robertson was offside in front of City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Slot acknowledged, though, that whining over that decision would simply serve to obscure the disparity in class between the parties at the Etihad. “I will not say because of that we lost the game, because at 1-1 if City continued like they were playing, we would have struggled in the second half as well,” Slot added. Nevertheless, Liverpool is just two points behind Chelsea in third place despite their terrible run. The Dutchman continued, “We need to get results before we can think about that (the title race).”
“After 38 games, the league table is best evaluated, but after 19 games, when we have all faced one another, it is even better. “Getting results should come first, and the title race should come last. It is clear that we need to get better. Pep Guardiola was able to commemorate his 1,000th game as manager after the team won handily. A revitalized City appears more like their former selves following their first trophyless season in eight years.
“Last season could not do that,” Guardiola remarked. “We ran out of energy. “Despite my best efforts, I was unable to link with the team, react, or take action. “For many reasons we were not able to do, but it was a good lesson.” The 2-2 draw at Sunderland on Saturday ended Arsenal’s 10-game winning streak and eight straight clean sheets across all competitions.
Guardiola stated that his players needed to demonstrate that they are once again title contenders, but he acknowledged that the opportunity to get closer to the leaders did not go unnoticed. “They dropped points finally,” the City manager continued. “I told the players not to do it because Arsenal didn’t win yesterday. To believe in ourselves, let’s do it. “We take on the English champs. Show them that we can support Arsenal this season, and I believe we did it today.”
