Arne Slot insisted Liverpool confirmed why they’re champions this afternoon regardless of a below-par performance in losing 3-1 at Chelsea.
Reds boss Slot made six modifications to his facet for the journey to Stamford Bridge, giving a number of fringe gamers the prospect to impress with Liverpool having wrapped up the title following their 5-1 thrashing of Tottenham final weekend.
However they didn’t gel and a Cole Palmer-inspired Chelsea cruised to a throughly deserved three factors.
Slot fairly happy regardless of setback
Regardless of struggling simply their third league defeat of the season, Slot felt there have been moments of promise from his facet.
He informed BBC’s Match of the Day: “For a lot of issues I didn’t see a drop off. As we speak, we might see why we’ve got gained this league – we introduced the ball out from the again rather well.
“We got here again after being 2-0 down and we didn’t hand over, however I’ve stated earlier than margins are small.
“In some moments a couple of percentages weren’t there.
“It would at all times be a troublesome recreation to play right here, however for us to play the best way we did tells me additionally why we gained the league, nevertheless it additionally tells me when you’ve got a small drop off within the closing third you’ll be able to concede or not rating.
“A smart man as soon as stated to me ‘nothing good comes from dropping a soccer recreation’ and that’s how we expertise it.”
A Jarell Quansah personal aim doubles Chelsea’s lead! 🫣 pic.twitter.com/fLCvzxHs2k
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 4, 2025
Slot backs fringe gamers
Slot stated not an excessive amount of can be taken from the performances of his squad gamers, including: “They need to play these video games as a result of they’ve skilled so laborious this season. Each time they did so properly in order that’s why I believe they deserved to play this recreation. We don’t decide them solely on this recreation, we decide them each day on the coaching floor and within the moments that they play for us.”
Slot gained the title regardless of making only one signing final summer season, that of Federico Chiesa who has hardly featured.
And the Dutchman admitted he might look to freshen issues up earlier than Liverpool try and retain their crown subsequent season.
Requested if followers can anticipate an enormous summer season forward, he informed Sky Sports activities: “It’s already an enormous summer season as a result of we prolonged Virgil [van Dijk] and Mo [Salah] and for giant components of the season, I don’t suppose everybody anticipated that.
“For us to maintain them is an enormous factor. I’ve stated already that I’m pleased with the squad we’ve got. We’ll see what the summer season brings however generally it may be good to deliver recent power. [But] Provided that we see somebody available on the market who can enhance us.”
Completely happy Maresca praises spectacular Chelsea
Chelsea’s win moved them on to 63 factors, the identical as Newcastle and only one fewer than third-placed Manchester Metropolis because the race to safe qualification for the Champions League intensified.
Blues boss Enzo Maresca was delighted along with his group’s show.
“I’ve very impressed with my gamers” 😃
Enzo Maresca reacts after Chelsea’s 3-1 win over Liverpool 🎙️ pic.twitter.com/finTdvIa4a
— Sky Sports activities Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 4, 2025
He stated: “Crucial three factors, particularly at this stage within the season. This group [Liverpool] confirmed why they’re so good. They pressured us to defend deep which we don’t like.
“We deliberate the sport to be aggressive, enjoying the best way we wish and so they pressured us to make use of a distinct plan. The gamers tailored fairly properly. For the quantity of possibilities that we created, we deserved to win the sport.”
As for his or her top-five aspirations, he added: “For certain, Chelsea has to struggle for Champions League and hopefully sooner or later we are able to struggle for one thing extra essential. On this second we’re there and hopefully we are able to end there.”
