Liverpool boss Arne Slot to Sky Sports: "We needed another second-half performance but because we were outplayed in the first half. They were better on the ball, more aggressive without the ball. Then, everything changed in the second half because it was completely the opposite. "Our attackers scored the goals but the main difference was we were better positioned and we had the ball a lot more. Without the ball they made problems for us but in the second half we just kept running." On going top of the Premier League: "It's more if you play against Arsenal in their stadium and you can get a draw away from home. Brighton are a very strong team as well, they have shown this season. If you face a team like this and are 1-0 down and can come back to a 2-1 win which in my opinion was deserved that gives me a lot of confidence. More than the position we are in." On the injury to Ibrahima Konate; "He had a lot of pain during half-time so then you have to make the change. The good thing is we have two very good replacements in Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah. I chose Joe today because Jarell was really tired and he proved I was right because he was outstanding in the second half." On Joe Gomez: "He had a very good performance without the ball. He constantly stepped into midfield to win the ball, winning the duels, and when he had to defend he did very well. Very good second half."
Did you manage to make the game? Or did you hang back skulling Guinness and have now lost your way in this world?
Arne Slot on Joe Gomez: "If you come into a game where your team is outplayed for 45 minutes and do this (performance), that says a lot. This is what people told me when I came here, Joe is a top, top professional. I think the fans loved what they saw, I definitely did."
Virgil on Ibou's injury: "So many bodies around the ball and I think I headed him on his arm. Hopefully it is not too bad. We just have to see. You can be quite okay as player with an arm injury so hopefully he will be fine." .... I think you stood on his wrist, Virg!!
I don't know why I have this fear of Endo coming on. He's so professional and did a great job. Maybe it's just a worry that he doesn't have a lot of game time and it's hard to get up to speed in a game that was as fast moving as this one.
That Salah goal is honestly one of his better ones. What a strike. And at the time in the match, with the whole stadium surging. Fantastic. Great 2nd half. I keep expecting them to drop more points than this and they just keep going. Villa is gonna be a hell of a match...
In truth, I’ll take any Salah goal on a 12 inch black and white portable TV with constant electrical interference lines and shadows in the back of a dusty bodega in 45C temperatures in the arse end of Patagonia in the company of 14 surly, hairy Argentineans who all have sidearms and are drinking bottles of dubious local moonshine.
Yup. The ball was headed directly towards me - then bang - took that typical Mo curler. He should have finished his other chance earlier too.
tbh I have no qualms seeing him come on at all. today it was a smart sub and he helped see the game out. he did nothing that will hit any headlines, but a very important contribution nonetheless - the stuff that wins games.
Still buzzing off that win. The first half was really bad, but we turned it around in the second half. It felt like the home crowd really got us over the line. I thought the subs were excellent. First Gomez who came into a tough situation and was then outstanding in the second half. Then Diaz and Jones who I thought brought us up to another level when they came on. I would love to see more of Diaz in that central number ten role. He can cause massive problems for the opposition from there with the ability to pull out to either wing. Jones was brilliant for the winning goal. Mo Salah with a trademark goal. He continues to be our biggest difference maker. Our match winner. This felt like a massive win. This is starting to feel real. Watching Arsenal drop points. Keeping an eye on what’s happening in the City match. There is a title that is there to be won.
One of my most favorite parts of life under Jurgen was that I just knew if we could get to the halftime dressing room being only a goal down, he’d always pull a rabbit, make the adjustments and the second half would be so much better. One of my fears about Slot was that he didn’t or wouldn’t possess the same keen insights and he’d be ten Hag-like, constantly reverting to Plan A. How satisfying it is to see that in this respect, he’s every bit the measure of Jurgen and there’s even a case to be made that he just might be better at these half time insights and adjustments. As it proved today.