Arne Slot makes Liverpool away fans admission and new Lutsharel Geertruida claim after transfer interest
Liverpool ended Sunderland’s unbeaten home record with a 1-0 victory at the Stadium of Light.
Arne Slot hailed the travelling Liverpool fans for helping his team get over the line against Sunderland.
The Reds earned a 1-0 win at the Stadium of Light to end the Black Cats’ unbeaten home record since their return to the Premier League.
Liverpool dominated the game but had to wait until the 61st minute to break the deadlock through Virgil van Dijk’s header. Sunderland did pursue an equaliser but the were limited to any real clear-cut chances, with the Reds displaying their resilience in abundance.
And Slot reckons that his troops were aided by the vociferous Kopites who had made the long journey to Wearside behind Liverpool’s goal. The Anfield head coach said: “I think we had the biggest chance in the extra time with Mo Salah and a few other moments, but at least to see how we defended because there were a few times that we had to throw our bodies in front of the ball. I think Wata [Endo] - I pick him out because he had the injury. He stayed on the pitch with the injury he got and challenged for another - in a set-piece - for another duel.
“That mentality I saw throughout the whole team. Ibou [Konate] played a great game against [Brian] Brobbey, who is always difficult to play against. Mo was working, doing his work off the ball a lot. Macca [Alexis Mac Allister] had a few very important tackles, but it was also really helpful that our fans were so loud.
This stadium is, of course, known for the home fans, but I think the away fans tonight were incredible as well, especially in the last 20 minutes - throughout the whole game, but especially in the last 20 minutes when the team needed them.
“Maybe they felt that, OK, it's gone wrong so many times in the final part of the season, and the manager has just tried to bring in defenders and tried to bring in an offensive player, but maybe now it's up to us to help the team, as they have done so many times, and that worked out really well. So, I hope every time we have the lead - away or at home - our fans can be as supportive as they've been for so many times as they were tonight.”
Liverpool’s win was marred by the serious injury that Wataru Endo suffered. The midfielder had to be stretchered off the pitch. Endo was deputising at right-back, with Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong injured, Joe Gomez only just back from a hip issue and Dominik Szoboszlai suspended.
It feels like a cursed position for the Reds this season. They did try to sign Sunderland’s Lutsharel Geertruida on loan before the winter transfer window closed to remedy the issue but an agreement could not be reached. Geertruida, who was Slot’s captain when in charge of Feyenoord, came off the bench for Sunderland in the 79th minute. Slot quipped that Liverpool’s full-back problem would be typified if Geertruida had equalised.
"Since Geertruida came in [for Sunderland], I thought this would sum it up completely if he scores to make it 1-1 but thankfully he didn't,” added Slot.