Arne Slot Reacts to Liverpool AXA Training Centre Buzz as Manchester City News Breaks

Arne Slot Reacts to Manchester City’s Shocking News During Liverpool Press Conference

Starting the week by emphasizing how unwise it would be to underestimate Manchester City, Arne Slot has had his words echoed by the buzz surrounding City at the AXA Training Centre by the week’s end.

Before Liverpool’s manager even took his seat for the Friday press conference, journalists were already debating the eye-popping news that Erling Haaland had committed to a staggering nine-and-a-half-year contract with City. The deal reportedly includes a basic £500,000-a-week salary, underlining both City’s determination to retain their star forward and the sheer financial strength of their Abu Dhabi owners in contrast to Liverpool’s position under the ownership of Fenway Sports Group.

When questioned whether this development highlighted the need for Liverpool to stay at the top of their game in every aspect to remain competitive, Slot pointed to the other big spenders in the Premier League.

“Not particularly about the investment, but we know how good we have to be every single day to compete in this league,” Slot explained. “It’s not only the club you are referring to. Chelsea spent £1.2 billion, Manchester United spends an incredible amount. Every team spends a lot of money over here, that’s why it’s such an interesting league to be part of. Some seasons, this club spends a bit more; other seasons, other clubs spend a bit more. That’s what makes this league so intense and difficult to win. But that’s also why we want to be here: to compete against the best, with the best. We’re very happy with our team right now and still able to compete with all the teams spending massive amounts of money.”

This competitive spirit is reflected in Liverpool’s current standing, sitting four points clear at the top of the Premier League with a game in hand ahead of their tough trip to Brentford on Saturday. The Reds are already two points ahead of where they were at this stage last season, while Arsenal, their closest rivals, sit at the same total they had after 21 matches last term. Meanwhile, Manchester City finds themselves 11 points adrift in sixth place.

While Haaland has been a consistent force at City since his 2022 arrival, netting 111 goals in 126 appearances, Darwin Nunez, who joined Liverpool in the same summer, has faced more challenges in maintaining similar prolific form. Nunez did score in Liverpool’s 4-1 victory over Brentford last season and, despite a one-match suspension, is fighting for a starting spot ahead of Saturday’s match. Diogo Jota is likely to miss out after sustaining a minor injury in the 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday.

When asked about Nunez’s recent struggles — he’s started just two of the last seven Premier League matches — Slot shifted the focus to the forward’s overall contributions.

“That’s your perception, and maybe the perception of others too, but it’s not mine that he’s struggling with confidence,” Slot stated. “He was involved in the first goal against Accrington Stanley, in the goal against Fulham that Jota scored, and he scored against Southampton. After that, he hasn’t had many starts, maybe just one; I’m not sure. For me, it’s the life of a striker — sometimes you score, sometimes you don’t. He hasn’t started every game. The most important thing for me is that as a team, we’ve managed to score every game, except against Tottenham and Nottingham Forest. That shows we have goals all around the team. Darwin will score his goals, like he’s done already, and will continue to do so.”

“I don’t see him struggling as you do; he’s still involved in goals in recent games as well,” Slot added.