Arne Slot has defended Liverpool’s style of play despite questions over their attacking output in recent matches, following Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Fulham.
The Reds have been criticized for adopting a more pragmatic approach to matches, as they look to bounce back from a poor run of form earlier in the season.
The Premier League champions lost nine times from 12 matches between September and November, but Sunday’s result now extends their unbeaten record to nine games since that dismal run.
Against Fulham, they dominated possession but struggled to create meaningful opportunities especially in the absence of both of their strikers – Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike due to injuries.
“I think we showed great resilience from the start if you miss out on so many attacking options and you come here against Fulham and they’re a good team having good ideas about football and we hardly conceded any chances against them”, Slot admitted.
“I think they had one other chance in the second half when we maybe messed it up a little bit ourselves when they had a chip on the bar. But for the rest, I think we controlled the game.”
Liverpool followed by their disappointing goalless draw against Leeds United in their last match with another draw this time around at Craven Cottage.
Harry Wilson put the host ahead in the first half, before Florian Wirtz equalized for the visitors in the second half.
Cody Gakpo thought he had snatched a win for the Reds with a stoppage-time goal, but Harrison Reed’s long-range stunner sealed a valuable point for Fulham in the clash.
“And yes, I would love us to create more from our ball possession, I can tell you this. My philosophy of football hasn’t changed. This year compared to all the seasons I was a manager before, we have to do it with the players that we have available, and I think today 11 very good football players were on the pitch”, he continued.
“Maybe not all of them in their normal position, but in the first half they controlled the game. Just before they scored, we had exactly the same chance from Cody Gakpo, which went on the other side of the post. And in the second half, two disallowed goals, two girls scored, a header on the bar. So things to like but the result is again not what we may deserve.”
Liverpool head to the Emirates to face league leaders Arsenal on Thursday, while Fulham battle host Chelsea in a West London derby on Wednesday.
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