Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made it clear—there’s no room for complacency, even after a promising 3-1 victory over Yokohama F. Marinos in Japan. While the Reds closed out their pre-season tour of Asia with a win, Slot wasn’t entirely pleased with what he saw on the pitch.

⚽ Florian Wirtz equalised after the hosts took the lead through Asahi Uenaka, and it was two young talents—Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha—who sealed the comeback under intense heat and challenging pitch conditions.

But despite the win, familiar warning signs emerged again. Just like in the recent 4-2 defeat to AC Milan, Liverpool looked shaky when caught on the counter. Slot didn’t hold back in his post-match comments.

🗣️ “It was a competitive game, and we expected that from a team in mid-season form. There were definitely some positives, like the response after going a goal down and the impact of our substitutes,” Slot explained.

⚠️ However, he was quick to point out defensive lapses: “We were once again slow to track back after losing possession. It happened against Milan, and it happened again today. Maybe it’s the intense training or the heat, but it’s something we must fix.”

Liverpool now return to Merseyside, where they’ll wrap up pre-season with a double-header against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield on Monday. From there, it’s a quick turnaround to the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace at Wembley on August 10, followed by the Premier League opener against Bournemouth the next Friday.

Slot made it clear that last season’s title celebrations are officially over. 🏆

🧠 “We achieved a lot last season, and I had time to enjoy that during the break. But the moment training resumed, we put all that behind us,” he said. “The Premier League is only getting tougher. What other clubs are doing is impressive. We need to stay focused.”

👀 And with another Wembley appearance on the horizon, Slot hasn’t forgotten the League Cup final loss to Newcastle United earlier this year. “We saw them lift a trophy while we watched. In two weeks, we return to Wembley. This time, we must show a different side.”


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✍️ Liverpool may be ticking boxes in pre-season, but Slot is keeping the standards sky-high. Will the Reds tighten up in time for the season kick-off? 👀