Liverpool supervisor Arne Slot says Newcastle’s energy in duels was a major issue of their Carabao Cup defeat on Sunday.
The Magpies received 68 per cent of the sport’s aerial battles at Wembley, the place they secured their first piece of main home silverware in 70 years due to objectives from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak in a 2-1 win.
It means the Reds have now exited two competitions in lower than per week, following their Champions League last-16 loss to Paris Saint-German.
“Disappointing result, disappointing performance. Completely different than I felt after the Paris Saint-Germain game,” mentioned the Dutchman, talking in his post-match press convention.
“Had been we mentally or bodily drained on Tuesday? No, however this recreation had nothing to do with operating. This recreation had solely to do with enjoying duels and there was no depth when it comes to operating on this recreation in any respect, so you can’t even choose it if we have been drained, bodily, as a result of we couldn’t press them.
“You may choose a staff if they’re drained in the event that they press, however there was nothing to press as a result of they performed over our press. The sport was sluggish, not intense, so it is troublesome to evaluate for me if we have been bodily prepared.
“Mentally, it is all the time a troublesome one. If you happen to have a look at the outcome and the efficiency you would possibly really feel that it possibly did one thing to us, however I want to have a look at how the sport went and this recreation went precisely the way in which they wished it to be – a struggle with a variety of duels and a variety of duels via the air
“If we played a game of football through the air against them 10 times, they win it probably nine times because they are a stronger team through the air than us, which led to the first goal and the second goal. They are stronger in that part of football than us and that’s why they beat us.”
It was advised to Slot that his facet have been outplayed by Newcastle, to which he responded: “They won more duels than us. Is that outworking? Or is that one of their biggest qualities, to play so many aerial duels and to win these physical duels?
“Outplayed for me is if you don’t touch the ball and they play through you every single time you try to press them, and every time you’re too late. But I agree if you say that they deserved to win because the game went in the way they wanted it to go.
“So sure, they need to win. However it wasn’t like we have been solely operating after them. We needed to defend a variety of lengthy balls, second balls and that is their energy.”
Slot was keen to stress, however, despite the disappointment of the last week, that all is not lost.
“It was a troublesome week, nevertheless it was additionally per week the place we prolonged our result in 12 factors, so it wasn’t all detrimental, however the final two [games] have been positively not the way in which we wished it to be,” he added.
“However it’s not for the primary time of their [Liverpool’s] historical past – or within the final two seasons – they’ve misplaced two video games in a row. That is a part of enjoying soccer.
“If you go far in tournaments that the opposition in your face gets stronger and stronger and then even Liverpool can lose football games. That’s what can happen.”
Carra: Liverpool have run out of steam; Newcastle wiped the ground with them
Sky Sports activities’ Jamie Carragher:
“Newcastle didn’t just win, they battered Liverpool. It should’ve been 3-0 or 4-0.
“Liverpool acquired a comfort purpose. I discover it troublesome to be too important, contemplating what it appeared like they have been going to realize this season however not many anticipated them to.
“Liverpool were poor vs PSG and Newcastle are a good Premier League team, but they have wiped the floor with them. Liverpool’s legs have run out of steam but luckily for them they have a big enough lead in the league.
“Underneath Eddie Howe, Newcastle have been a bodily staff, however they saved one of the best till now.
“It wasn’t a great football game, but a lot of that was probably a ploy from Newcastle. There is a lack of pace with the Liverpool front three.
“It is not their day, it is all about Newcastle. Set-piece clever, duels in the course of the park and tempo. Liverpool could not cope.”