Arne Slot’s Warning to Liverpool: Wolves Will Be No Pushovers
As Liverpool gear up to face Wolves, many fans might be tempted to chalk it up as an easy win. After all, Wolves sit bottom of the Premier League, struggling to find their first victory this season. However, Arne Slot has a message for those Liverpool supporters: don’t get complacent. The Dutch manager is well aware of the threats Wolves pose, and he believes that their current position in the table doesn’t reflect their true quality.
Slot has urged his players and fans alike to avoid underestimating Wolves, despite Liverpool’s dominant form against teams in the lower half of the table. He warned that every Premier League game requires total focus, no matter where the opposition sits in the standings.
Wolves’ Tough Start to the Season
Wolves may be bottom of the league, but Slot was quick to point out that Gary O’Neil’s side has had a difficult start, facing tough opposition like Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Aston Villa. According to Slot, this rough run of fixtures has contributed to Wolves’ current standing, and he believes they are a far better side than the table suggests.
“Every single Premier League game demands a lot,” Slot commented. “That’s why you see more rotation here than any other league. Every team we face has players who cost £40million-£50million and have quality, so there are no easy games.”
Indeed, the Premier League’s financial muscle means that even teams at the bottom have high-quality players capable of causing problems for any opponent. Slot added, “Wolves have been unlucky already playing Arsenal, Newcastle, Chelsea, and Aston Villa. The best way to judge the table is after 19 games.”
Wolves may not have secured a win yet, but Slot’s experience from his days in the Eredivisie tells him not to take any side lightly. “My final game in the Eredivisie, we played a newly promoted club, and they didn’t get close to our goal. A duel with their defenders is not like a duel with Virgil van Dijk,” he noted, emphasizing the vast difference in quality between leagues. “Wolves play much better football than the table shows.”
Liverpool’s Depth Key to Success
One area where Liverpool holds a distinct advantage is squad depth, particularly in attack. Slot has an abundance of options up front, with Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa, and Darwin Nunez all competing for just three starting spots. While this kind of competition could cause issues in many teams, Slot sees it as a positive.
“The positive thing with us having so many games is that they will all play a lot,” Slot explained. “They understand they won’t play every game, but they have to stay sharp. As long as they accept the situation, and that is what they are doing, it is positive.”
Federico Chiesa, Liverpool’s summer signing, is the only forward yet to find the net this season. However, Slot remains confident that his new signing will soon hit form, especially after starting in the midweek 5-1 Carabao Cup win against West Ham. Luis Diaz, on the other hand, has been in scintillating form, scoring five goals in his first six appearances.
The competition for places seems to be driving all of Liverpool’s forwards to step up their game, and Slot is happy with how the players are handling the situation. “They have good numbers, and I see them smile a lot,” he said. “I have to keep them happy in what they are doing.”
Liverpool’s Title Challenge Flying Under the Radar
Despite their strong start to the season, Slot is content that Liverpool’s title ambitions have been somewhat overlooked by the media. The focus has largely been on Manchester City and Arsenal, with most pundits predicting a two-horse race for the title. However, Slot sees this as a blessing, allowing his side to operate without the weight of expectation.
Liverpool currently sit second in the league, just one point behind Manchester City. Their performances have been consistently impressive, but Slot is more than happy to let others take the limelight. “I am really happy with the squad I inherited from Jurgen Klopp, not only the quality but maybe even more importantly the culture,” he said.
This sense of culture and unity has been pivotal in Liverpool’s strong start, and Slot believes that the team’s depth and mentality will be key as the season progresses. The return of goalkeeper Alisson Becker from injury will also provide a significant boost to the team, as they look to maintain their unbeaten record against lower-half teams.
As Liverpool prepare for their trip to Molineux, Slot’s message is clear: Wolves are a side to be respected, not underestimated. The Premier League is a tough battleground, and even the teams at the bottom have the quality to cause an upset. While Liverpool’s attacking depth and strong squad culture give them an advantage, they’ll need to be fully focused if they want to continue their winning run.