Arne Slot In ‘I’m Not Sure’ Complaint After Liverpool Defeat Newcastle United

Arne Slot was not convinced of the quality on show in Liverpool’s late win over Newcastle United last weekend.

The Reds left it dramatically late to beat the Magpies at St James’ Park as it was 10 minutes into stoppage time when they netted their winner.

Slot’s side had taken the lead thanks to Ryan Gravenberch’s stunner from distance before Hugo Ekitike doubled the Premier League holders’ lead just after the restart.

Anthony Gordon’s Newcastle red card had come just before half-time but that did not prevent the hosts from hauling themselves back into the action thanks to a header from Bruno Guimaeres.

Incredibly they did level thanks to William Osula with two minutes of normal time to play. But 16-year-old Rio Ngumoha won the day with a last-minute strike in what was a massive moment for the kid.

Arne Slot complained about lack of quality in Newcastle vs Liverpool

Manager Slot was beaming with the three points after his side almost threw it all away but the Dutchman admitted the quality was missing from the 100 or so minutes on the pitch.

The former Feyenoord gaffer felt most of the match was played with the ball in the air with too many set-pieces won and played for by both clubs.

And he accepted that, despite the lack of class on the field, he was fine to leave the stadium with the win to go again with next time out.

Speaking to Sky Sports in the aftermath of the clash, Slot said: “I’m not too sure if I saw a football match.

“It was set-piece after set-piece, long throws. It didn’t have a lot to do with tactics. But I liked a lot how we stood strong.”

He added: “It was a very difficult first half hour, 45 minutes. We didn’t collapse at all and went 1-0 up.

Why Liverpool won’t worry about physical Newcastle battle

“Newcastle going down to 10 men, you would expect is a big plus for us but when a goalkeeper takes every free-kick, there is not much hope [benefit] if you are one player up.

“That’s why it was so difficult to bring the 2-0 over the line.”

Slot’s complaint should not signal too much to worry about for the Reds who are unlikely to be stuck with a lack of quality too often this term.

The likes of creative playmakers they have in Florian Wirtz, Mo Salah, Cody Gakpo and now Hugo Ekitike should more often than not allow for more possession on the turf.

In an attacking threat Liverpool now also have Jeremie Frimpong on the right-hand side and Milos Kerkez on the left to offer a fast-paced brand of football moving on.