Liverpool’s new head coach, Arne Slot, has made an impressive start to his tenure with two wins and two clean sheets. However, he acknowledges that there is still much to prove. The team secured a 2-0 victory over Brentford in Slot’s first competitive home match, thanks to goals from Luis Diaz and Mohamed Salah.
Slot is pleased with how his side has begun their Premier League campaign, having also defeated Ipswich by the same scoreline the previous week. However, he recognizes that tougher challenges lie ahead. Their upcoming match against Manchester United will be a significant test for Slot, who took over from Jurgen Klopp after his successful nine-year reign.
Despite the positive start, Slot remains humble, stating, “There’s still a lot for us to prove with the whole season coming up.” He gives credit to both Ipswich and Brentford for their performances against Liverpool but doesn’t expect them to finish in the top six at the end of the season.
The warm reception Slot received at Anfield, including a visit from Liverpool owner John W. Henry, highlights the support and appreciation he has already garnered. Slot expresses his gratitude for the warm reception and acknowledges the importance of playing in a style that the fans enjoy.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank faced questions about England striker Ivan Toney, who was left out of the team for the second consecutive week. Toney’s absence has fueled speculation of a potential move to Saudi Arabia. Frank remains uncertain about Toney’s future but emphasizes that he is happy when the transfer window closes, as it puts an end to speculation.
Without Toney, Brentford struggled to find a cutting edge in their match against Liverpool. Captain Christian Norgaard missed a golden opportunity with an unmarked header, and Nathan Collins was denied by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker. Despite the defeat, Frank is satisfied with his team’s performance, particularly in the first half, describing it as their best first half at Anfield during his four years at the club.
As Liverpool’s new head coach, Arne Slot has made an impressive start, but he remains grounded and focused on the challenges ahead. The upcoming match against Manchester United will be a true test of his capabilities. Meanwhile, Brentford will need to find a way to compensate for the absence of Ivan Toney and improve their finishing if they want to compete at the highest level.