LIVERPOOL:Liverpool manager Arne Slot said his side must not make a habit of losing games they should win after six defeats in their last seven games plunged the Premier League champions into crisis.
The Reds have lost their last four league games ahead of Aston Villa’s trip to Anfield on Saturday and also crashed out of the League Cup to Crystal Palace in midweek.
Slot’s decision to name an inexperienced side for the 3-0 defeat to the Eagles drew criticism, but he again defended the need to give his key players a rest after a series of injury problems in the early part of the season.
Alisson Becker, Alexander Isak and Jeremie Frimpong are all still sidelined, while Ryan Gravenberch is only just back in training after an ankle injury.
Slot had an eye not only on the visit of in-form Villa, but Real Madrid’s trip to Anfield in the Champions League on Tuesday and Liverpool’s clash with Manchester City next Sunday.
“It is nothing to do with the squad depth, it is how we’ve gone throughout the season in terms of injuries and availability,” said Slot at his pre-match press conference on Friday.
“It’s just the situation as it is. We have still more than enough good players available to play the game on Saturday, to play the game on Tuesday, and to play the game on Sunday, but I have to take care of a few of them, and that’s why I made the decision not to play.”
Five games into the Premier League campaign, Villa trailed Liverpool by 12 points.
But the two meet this weekend separated only by goal difference as Unai Emery’s men have hit form just as Liverpool’s losing streak began.
Slot cited Villa as an example to his side of how quickly things can change and the overall strength of the Premier League.
Arsenal enjoy a four-point lead at the top of the table, but only three points separate second-placed Bournemouth from Villa in eighth.
“Apart from Arsenal, I think many teams are in and around the same points, so again it tells you also how hard the the Premier League is,” added Slot.
“Normally, although with us the run is already quite long, you don’t every time lose a game of football where you create more chances than the other team.
“They (Villa) decided not to make a habit out of that, and let’s hope we decide not to make a habit out of having more chances than the opponent but not winning it.”
Liverpool must snap losing ‘habit’, says under-fire Slot
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Liverpool must snap losing ‘habit’, says under-fire Slot
- Liverpool manager Arne Slot said his side must not make a habit of losing games they should win after six defeats in their last seven games plunged the Premier League champions into crisis
AC Milan prolong France ‘keeper Maignan deal by five years
- Italian media reported that Milan have almost doubled Maignan’s annual salary to five millions euros
- “AC Milan is pleased to announce the extension of Mike Maignan’s contract until June 30, 2031,” said Milan
MILAN: Mike Maignan signed a new deal with AC Milan that will keep the France goalkeeper at the San Siro until 2031, the Serie A giants confirmed on Saturday.
Italian media reported that Milan have almost doubled Maignan’s annual salary to five millions euros, ensuring their captain will stay.
“AC Milan is pleased to announce the extension of Mike Maignan’s contract until June 30, 2031,” said Milan, currently second in Serie A.
Maignan says he enjoys working with coach Massimiliano Allegri, who joined Milan in May 2025.
“He’s experienced and level-headed, he knows how to manage his group of goalkeepers. Working like that is much easier. I don’t want to make comparisons, but we get along well and he knows how to handle me,” Maignan said in December.
The deal comes after the 30-year-old rediscovered the form which earned him the nickname “Magic Mike” when he replaced Gianluigi Donnarumma between the sticks in 2021.
Just a few months ago he had looked sure to leave come the end of this season when his contract had been due to expire, with poor displays and a clutch of injuries playing their role in a breakdown of communication with the Milan hierarchy.
The only remaining star of the team that won Milan’s most recent league title in 2022, his time in red and black looked to be up as the seven-time European champions slumped to eighth in Serie A last season and failed to qualify for continental football.
But Maignan is back to his best and Milan went into the weekend five points behind league leaders and local rivals Inter Milan in the race for the Scudetto.
Milan have conceded 17 goals in 22 league matches. Maignan has nine clean sheets and has saved two penalties.
Allegri’s side face Bologna on Tuesday.
