“We Can’t Underestimate” Arne Slot Previews Liverpool’s Clash with Leicester City | OneFootball

Arne Slot Weighs in on Leicester Challenge and Van Nistelrooy’s Influence

Liverpool’s recent 6-3 away victory against Tottenham has not only stretched their lead at the Premier League summit but also set a determined tone for their upcoming fixtures. With the Reds now four points clear and boasting a game in hand, the team’s manager, Arne Slot, reflected on the match as a timely wake-up call. Despite leading comfortably at 5-1, a Spurs comeback narrowed the gap, a scenario Slot hopes will sharpen focus ahead of their Boxing Day clash against Leicester City at Anfield.

“I think the positive [for Leicester] is that teams that are positioned in the lower side of the league table, they mostly lose games, but since Ruud [van Nistelrooy] is there they also won a few,” Slot remarked in his latest press conference.

Photo: IMAGO

Facing Leicester City’s Rejuvenated Squad

With Leicester currently 17th in the league, their visit to Anfield represents more than just another fixture. Under the guidance of Ruud van Nistelrooy, a storied figure in football, Leicester have shown sparks of brilliance, complicating the task for Liverpool. Slot expressed respect for Leicester’s recent form and stressed the importance of not underestimating any Premier League team.

“And hopefully maybe that’s the good thing about these 15 minutes we saw [on Sunday], that we understand we cannot underestimate one minute in the Premier League because then we are not as good as we might think we are if we are on top of our game.”

Historical Ties: Slot and Van Nistelrooy’s Dutch Connection

The upcoming game also serves as a reunion for Slot and Van Nistelrooy, who previously contended in the Eredivisie as managers of Feyenoord and PSV, respectively. Previously, their teams clashed with mixed results, but it was Slot’s Feyenoord that ultimately claimed the Dutch title.

“I was expecting you to tell the people over here that I lost once and drew once, but you made it positive saying that we won the league title! Which was true,” Slot humorously recounted to a journalist.

Photo: IMAGO

Adding a personal touch to the rivalry, Slot commented, “Ruud is a very nice person, first of all. I’ve met him once or twice. And I think he did really well when he was at PSV because for the last one-and-a-half years they have been on top of the league table, but if you look at the second half of Ruud’s season I think they didn’t even lose anymore, at all.”

Squad Updates and Player Focus

While Liverpool gear up for the Leicester showdown, Slot confirmed that Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate would miss the encounter due to ongoing injury recoveries. This absence requires tactical adjustments but also opens up opportunities for other squad members to step up.

The anticipation of facing Van Nistelrooy once more brings an extra layer of motivation for Slot, especially with former PSV star Cody Gakpo now donning the Liverpool jersey. Gakpo’s presence, having scored against Van Nistelrooy’s PSV in past encounters, adds a psychological edge for Liverpool.

“Cody Gakpo was in his team, so I am happy he is in my team now when we face Ruud, because I think in both games he scored.”

As Liverpool prepare to host Leicester, the narrative extends beyond the usual league dynamics, enriched by personal histories and tactical nuances. Slot’s leadership will be pivotal as he aims to maintain Liverpool’s lead and fend off the strategic wiles of a respected peer.