Arne Slot claims what Liverpool player did late on “was of no use” and it cost the team
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Liverpool manager Arne Slot harshly criticized Jeremie Frimpong after a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace that ended Liverpool’s 100% winning start to the Premier League season. The loss came late in stoppage time thanks to an Eddie Nketiah goal, capitalizing on a defensive lapse where Frimpong momentarily switched off, leaving Nketiah unmarked at the far post. Slot expressed clear frustration, stating, “We can only blame ourselves for defending the way we did,” and highlighted that one player ran out in an attempt to launch a counter-attack when the match time was essentially over, which was "of no use" and ultimately cost Liverpool the game.
Earlier, Federico Chiesa had equalized just minutes before full time, cancelling out Ismaila Sarr’s early goal for Palace. Despite Liverpool’s status as champions, Palace dominated much of the match and deserved the win, stretching their unbeaten run to 18 games across all competitions. Slot acknowledged Palace’s deserved victory and criticized his team’s defensive mistakes, which were crucial in a tightly contested match saved multiple times by Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and a post from Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta in the first half.
Further context shows Frimpong, Liverpool’s right-back, is an attacking-minded player and part of Slot’s evolving tactical vision for the team, prioritizing offensive contribution from fullbacks. Yet, this approach may have contributed to the defensive moment that cost Liverpool dearly this time. While Frimpong has been seen as a key player for Liverpool’s style, this incident sparked criticism and questions about his defensive awareness during critical moments.
Overall, Slot’s comments underscore Liverpool’s accountability for the loss and stress the importance of defensive discipline, especially in closing stages, as well as the challenges of balancing attacking intent and defensive responsibility on players like Frimpong.
PP