Arne Slot may not be the most expressive coach on the sidelines, but during his debut season with Liverpool, his high expectations have been crystal clear.
Jarell Quansah learned this firsthand six months ago when he was subbed off at halftime during Slot’s premier league debut against Ipswich. Recently, Darwin Nunez found himself in the hot seat as well when Slot openly criticized his perceived lack of hustle following a missed opportunity against Aston Villa last week.
In the closing moments of Sunday’s impressive 2-0 triumph over Manchester City, a match that had everyone touting Liverpool as potential champions, Arne Slot once again demonstrated his standards for excellence. Displeased with what he saw from his team, he didn’t hesitate to hold them accountable.
In a piece for the Daily Mail, Lewis Steele examined Liverpool’s transformation into ‘Physicality Monsters’ under Slot. He shared an episode from the 89th minute at the Etihad when Trent Alexander-Arnold received a stern talking-to from his boss for jogging instead of sprinting back into position during a City attack. Not two minutes later, Alexander-Arnold was off the pitch.
The piece also highlighted Slot’s admiration for Mo Salah’s relentless work ethic off the ball, a quality that often flies under the radar when fans discuss the Egyptian star.
Despite the late-stage exhaustion that might have justified a slower pace, Slot’s critique of Trent’s effort underscores his unwavering commitment to an elite standard. Dealing with the tricky footwork of Jeremy Doku, the Liverpool defender had his hands full, although Doku’s final ball was lacking, which is why his post-match grumbles that Manchester City weren’t outclassed don’t really hold water.
Dominik Szoboszlai embodied the grit and determination Liverpool displayed in this victory. Steele in the Daily Mail noted the Hungarian midfielder covered an astonishing 11.5 kilometers during the match, ending the game so spent that he couldn’t even bask in the fans’ chants about winning the league.
Szoboszlai exemplified what Slot expects from his squad—a lesson Trent Alexander-Arnold surely absorbed in those final minutes. Although we won’t fault the England international, especially considering his brilliant pass that set up Liverpool’s second goal, it’s clear his manager demands unwavering effort until the final whistle from everyone on the team.
