LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Arne Slot praised his team’s mentality after recording a narrow 1-0 victory over Premier League title contenders Arsenal at Anfield.
The only goal of the match came from a stunning free kick by Dominik Szoboszlai in the 83rd minute, handing Arsenal their first defeat of the season.
The defending champions now maintain a perfect record with three consecutive wins – beating Bournemouth, Newcastle United and Arsenal – and head into the international break with high confidence.
“I’m most pleased with the mentality of the team. We brought in a lot of new players. Then we started the season against Bournemouth, went to Newcastle, and then we met Arsenal at Anfield – one of the three or four toughest games of the season. But we showed what we were capable of,” said Slot.
Slot admits Liverpool are still not perfect, but insists that the players’ hard work ethic is the key to success.
“We are not perfect, but everyone wants to work hard to ensure the results are in our favour. If I am not mistaken, Michael Jordan once said, ‘the harder we work, the luckier we get’, and that is true for this team,” he said.
The manager also praised the performance of Szoboszlai, who surprised everyone when he was brought in as a right-back.
“He understands what a Liverpool player should be. If you wear this shirt you have to give everything, no matter what position you play. It was an incredible performance from him, even though it was probably only the second or third time he has played in that position in his life,” Slot added.