Reds return to Anfield on a high after win over City

Liverpool FC’s players are determined to make every single game count as they chase their first Premier League title since 2020, beginning at Anfield on Wednesday night against Newcastle United FC.

Arne Slot knows there’s a long way to go for Liverpool Football Club to claim another Premier League title, despite the jubilant scenes that followed Sunday’s 2-0 win over Manchester City FC at the Etihad Stadium.

Goals from Mohamed Salah - in the form of his life – and Dominik Szoboszlai ensured that the Reds closed out the weekend a full 11 points clear of Arsenal FC in second, albeit having played a game more.

It’s a commanding position with 11 games to go – seven of which will take place at Anfield – but the club’s head coach is keeping a firm lid on any sense of achievement ahead of Wednesday night’s clash against Newcastle United FC.

“I don't think I need to even enforce [the message that the title isn’t won yet] because these are the players that played – and I know the [Nottingham] Forest fans are going to like me saying this again – but these players played the Forest home game, these players played the Fulham home game, these same players played the Manchester United home game and the same players played Newcastle away, which was a very difficult game for us – two times being a goal down and then being one goal up and eventually drawing it to 3-3,” insisted the Dutchman.

“I don't think it's necessary. These players are so long in this competition – even much longer than me – so they know how difficult every single game is and if you have to play 11 that it's still a long way to go.”

All of that being said, this has been an extraordinary debut campaign for Slot in England, and central to that has been Salah.

The Egyptian has 30 goals in all competitions this season so far – with 25 in the Premier League - and also leads the top tier for assists, creating an incredible 16 goals for his team-mates after 27 games.

There has, understandably, been talk of a first Ballon d’Or for a player who is already guaranteed to go down as one of Liverpool FC’s greatest ever footballers.

“It's a good thing that Mo is in the discussion because it means he does well and it means we are doing well,” Slot added.

“But for him to stay in that discussion, he should bring in the same performances as he's done for seven or eight months now.

“I think in general, someone that wins the Ballon d'Or needs to win something as well, so it is a great challenge in front of us but also in front of him.

“What I liked a lot is that he takes this challenge – not only by scoring a big goal and a great assist against [Manchester] City but he also wanted the team to win because his defensive work-rate, especially in the second half, was outstanding.

“I think that is what it takes for us to have a chance of winning something and if we as a team can win something, he will have a far better chance to win an individual prize like the Ballon d'Or.”

Slot expects Alexis Mac Allister to be available to face Eddie Howe’s Magpies, but Conor Bradley (muscle injury) and Joe Gomez (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Reds fans, meanwhile, will have been delighted to see Cody Gakpo return to action against Pep Guardiola’s side, having recorded from the injury that he picked up in the recent draw against Everton FC at Goodison Park.

The Dutchman has been flying this season, with his performances on the left side of the attack one of the key factors in such a strong campaign so far.

Gakpo’s will to win is stronger than ever, and the 25-year-old has stressed how the LFC are becoming more and more focused on glory as the season enters its most crucial period. Complacency is not an option.

“I think the closer you come to the end the more hunger you get to really achieve something as a group,” said the forward.

“Obviously last season we were in a good position as well and then unfortunately it didn't work out how we wanted to.

“But this year we are together with the same team so we know what we can do better and we will do better. That's what you can see and like you said, we are not trying to slow down, we just try to keep going [and] keep going.

“Obviously some games are going to be very tough for us, but also in those games we know that we can fight for each other and also bring those games to a good end. That's what we are going for.”

Finally, Virgil van Dijk has called on supporters and his fellow players alike to make Anfield ‘horrible’ for opponents in the last three months of the season.

The LFC captain has been a colossus at the back all season for Slot’s men, and he continues to drive the club forward in both his words and his deeds.

“It’s pretty normal, [with] humans, there could be some anxious feelings kicking in, and that could still be the case, but I think it only helps us and them as well to make Anfield horrible for the opponent,” said the club’s No.4.

“Most of the time we have been doing that, and obviously the way we play obviously helps with that as well. How many home games are left? Seven out of 11.

“So, let’s make sure those seven are going to be amazing, as loud as possible, and I don’t think we have to speak about it, because normally that is the case.”

The importance of every last member of the Liverpool FC squad is not lost on the Dutchman.

“‘Collective’, that’s very important. It’s not about only four players or the goalkeeper. It’s about everyone, putting a big shift in everything. I think that’s what happened [against City]. We had to defend with everything we [have] got at times, although we still have the quality.

“I think we showed a different side of football in the best way possible, in terms of defending, attacking at times, set-pieces, that’s what we need.”