“I didn’t change as a manager” – Arne Slot defends philosophy amid identity scrutiny

By This Is Anfield Staff | January 4, 2026

In a candid post-match press conference following Liverpool's 2-2 draw against Fulham, manager Arne Slot robustly defended his tactical philosophy, insisting it remains unchanged despite growing scrutiny over the team's identity and creativity issues.[3]

Slot expressed frustration over Liverpool's failure to convert possession into chances, stating, "I would love to create more from our ball possession," but emphasized that his core approach—rooted in prior successes—has not shifted.[3] He rejected suggestions of tactical alterations at halftime or a dip in creativity, countering: "Do you think we created more when we were conceding more? I don’t change as a manager."[3] The Dutch coach highlighted that with "11 good football players" on the pitch, positives like resilience in recovering to 2-1 were evident, though the result fell short of expectations.[3]

Addressing defensive lapses, Slot dismissed claims of sitting too deep for Fulham's equalizer, attributing it to an "incredible strike" from a set piece or throw-in—issues plaguing the season but covered in this instance.[3] He reiterated his desire for an attacking style: "I’d love to play 8 attackers," underscoring adaptation to the current squad rather than philosophical overhaul.[3]

Injury updates included Hugo Ekitike's absence after an MRI revealed a risk, alongside boosts like Ibrahima Konaté's availability and Joe Gomez's progress.[1][3] Slot's remarks echo broader concerns about Liverpool's attacking stagnation and over-reliance on a small core, amid questions of repeating past squad-management errors.[1] Yet, he affirmed player buy-in to his methods, noting "small differences" from Jürgen Klopp's era while maintaining a possession-focused identity.[2]

As Liverpool enters 2026's crucial phase, Slot's unyielding stance signals confidence in his vision, even as fans demand more cutting edge ahead of defensive tests like Fulham.[1][3]

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