Liverpool manager Arne Slot admitted his team were fortunate to come away with all three points after a dramatic late victory over Nottingham Forest, describing the display as “the worst we’ve played” this season and saying the team “got more than we deserved.”
Speaking after the match, Slot acknowledged that Liverpool struggled to find rhythm and control for long stretches, with Forest causing problems and limiting clear-cut opportunities. While Liverpool ultimately found a late winner, the manager was clear that the performance fell below the standards he expects.
Slot highlighted issues in possession, noting that Liverpool were unusually sloppy on the ball and failed to move it quickly enough to unsettle the hosts. He pointed to poor decision-making in the final third and a lack of precision in passing as key reasons why his side created fewer chances than usual.
Defensively, Liverpool were forced into several periods of sustained pressure, with Forest pushing forward aggressively and looking to exploit space on the break. Slot admitted that his side did not manage transitions well enough and were sometimes second best in individual duels.
Despite the win, the manager focused on the need for improvement rather than the result alone. He stressed that the performance served as a reminder that intensity, concentration, and discipline must be consistent, regardless of the opponent or the stage of the season. Slot suggested that Liverpool would closely review the game to understand what went wrong and how to respond.
He also credited Nottingham Forest for their effort and organisation, acknowledging that the hosts made it difficult for Liverpool to build attacks and dictated the tempo for stretches of the match. Slot noted that Forest appeared the more energetic side for parts of the contest and that Liverpool had to work hard simply to stay in the game.
Looking ahead, Slot said the priority is to turn the lesson from this narrow win into a positive by raising the level of performance in training and upcoming fixtures. While satisfied with the resilience shown to secure a result late on, he was insistent that Liverpool must play with greater control, sharpness, and composure if they are to meet their targets over the rest of the campaign.
In summary, Slot’s post-match reflections balanced appreciation for the three points with a clear message that the display was not up to Liverpool’s usual standards. He framed the match as an important warning that results cannot be relied upon when performances drop, and that improvements are required across the pitch to ensure the team performs closer to its potential in future matches.
