SLOT… we have been all eager to be on this competitors for so long as doable
PLYMOUTH, United Kingdom (AFP) — Liverpool boss Arne Slot stated his aspect’s shock FA Cup exit to second-tier Plymouth was a setback after a near-flawless begin to his time in cost.
The Reds had been on track for quadruple trophies earlier than they travelled to Argyle, who sit backside of the championship, however got here unstuck at House Park as Slot paid a heavy value for making wholesale modifications.
The Dutchman retained solely goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher from the aspect that thrashed Tottenham 4-0 on Thursday to succeed in the League Cup last, and left Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk out of his a squad completely.
The Premier League leaders ought to nonetheless have had sufficient to progress as Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa began up entrance, whereas Darwin Nunez was launched in a bid to rescue the sport within the second half.
“We weren’t having an excellent day. A consequence like that is the end result,” stated Slot.
“It hurts everybody that’s concerned with Liverpool — followers, me, gamers. We have been all eager to be on this competitors for so long as doable and once you exit within the second doable recreation, that’s a setback.”
The sport was determined by Ryan Hardie’s penalty eight minutes into the second half, after Harvey Elliott dealt with contained in the field.
Diogo Jota and Nunez pressured Conor Hazard into late saves however Plymouth held out for one of many nice, all-time, FA Cup upsets.
“I can’t say the boys didn’t struggle — each groups barely created an opportunity after which it was a penalty. In a recreation like this it’s as much as one second. That second was for them and so they deserve it,” added Slot.
“I believe they have been in a position to do higher but it surely’s a system and a means of taking part in which is difficult to create towards. I wasn’t stunned. After we had the ball they have been actually aggressive.
“Not straightforward to create, particularly if a group has not performed collectively on a regular basis. It hurts everybody. We have been all eager to be on this competitors for so long as doable.
“They stored on combating till the final second. It wasn’t a piece charge drawback however they couldn’t discover possibilities. We now have to be extra inventive.”
