Arne Slot has urged caution over Liverpool’s outstanding early defensive record and believes they have benefitted from a generous fixture list.
Liverpool have taken 12 points from the first five games and the sole Premier League goal they have conceded was Callum Hudson-Odoi’s strike that enabled Nottingham Forest to win at Anfield 11 days ago. AC Milan’s Christian Pulisic is the only other player to breach Slot’s rearguard.
One aspect of Liverpool’s performances under their new coach has been the control they have shown for long periods but Slot has countered that observation by insisting an inspired display from goalkeeper Caoimhim Kelleher was the reason they kept a clean sheet against Bournemouth.
Slot, whose side begin the defence of the Carabao Cup against West Ham at Anfield, is happy with the way things have started but he is adamant a true measure of Liverpool’s capabilities will come at the end of next month after they faced Chelsea and Arsenal.
The head coach said: ‘I looked at the league table and (thought) “OK, which teams did we face until now and which position are they? Are they in the top half or the bottom?” Most of them are in the bottom half of the table, so you have to take that into account.
Liverpool have won four of their first five Premier League games, conceding just once
‘There are lots of difficult teams we must face. After West Ham, we go for two difficult away games (Wolves and Crystal Palace) let’s see where we are then when it comes to conceding goals.
'Maybe the fixture schedule has been ‘nice’ to us. From the five games we have played three times at home.’
A feature of Liverpool’s defensive form has been Trent Alexander-Arnold’s consistency and the right-back explained at great length after the 3-0 dismissal of Bournemouth how quickly he has formed a bond with the Dutchman and how he wants to reach new heights under him.
‘It’s not that we or I taught him to defend in the last three months,’ said Slot. ‘He’s won the league and he’s won the Champions League, so it’s just getting him to understand all of what is necessary to play the best possible game.
The Carabao Cup will give Slot an opportunity to change his team and he indicated it is likely that Federico Chiesa, Liverpool’s £10.6million signing from Juventus, will make his first start though the Italian is not at the level to play a full 90 minutes yet.
Trey Neyoni, a young Academy midfielder whose progress is causing great excitement, is also pushing to be included. Slot has great admiration for the 17-year-old and the more he can have him training with the first team squad, the quicker he will make steps.
‘He is a young player, he only just became 17, but with a lot of talent,’ said Slot. ‘He had some impact in pre-season and when he played against Seville he even scored a goal.
'So, a talent but only being a talent is not enough to play on a regular basis for the first team, so we need to keep developing him.’