Liverpool Boss Slot Shifts Tone, Blames Injuries and Disrupted Pre-Season for Recent Collapse

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has played down concerns about squad depth, insisting he is “completely happy” with his players — despite a poor run of form and comments earlier in the week that hinted at frustration with the options available.

After Liverpool’s shock 3–0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup, Slot had suggested his selection — which featured three teenagers and five more on the bench — reflected the limits of his squad. He noted that rivals like Manchester City and Chelsea could rotate heavily without weakening their teams.

But ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Aston Villa, Slot reversed course, stressing that injuries and disrupted pre-seasons — not lack of recruitment — are behind Liverpool’s struggles.

“We miss nothing,” Slot said. “I am completely happy with the team and with all the quality we have.”

Liverpool have now lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions, a sudden downturn after opening the campaign with seven straight wins. They have dropped to seventh in the Premier League and sit seven points behind leaders Arsenal — raising questions from supporters about whether Slot can build on last season’s title-winning success.

The slump comes despite a record-breaking summer transfer window in which Liverpool spent £415 million, the highest single-window outlay in European football history. The spending included a British-record £125 million signing of striker Alexander Isak, who forced a move from Newcastle and missed pre-season training in the process.

Slot acknowledged that Isak and several other major signings have struggled for rhythm.

“I am convinced by the policy and the strategy,” Slot said. “But not all of them have had a proper pre-season or have been injured. When three or four are injured, you go back to 16 players.”

Liverpool have been without key players including Alisson, Jeremie Frimpong and Ryan Gravenberch due to injury, leaving Slot repeatedly leaning on the same core group.

“It has been more difficult than last season to keep them all available,” Slot admitted. “Maybe last season we were more lucky, and now we are more unlucky.”

Slot insists the squad is strong enough — if he can keep them fit.

But with results sliding, fans increasingly want performances rather than explanations.