Slot Blames Errors for Liverpool's 3-2 Defeat at Fulham, Denies Complacency

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot denies complacency claims after his team's 3-2 defeat at Fulham, citing errors as the key reason for the loss.

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot rejected claims that his players were complacent, despite the team's error-strewn 3-2 defeat at Fulham. The loss was a surprise setback for the Premier League leaders, who had been on a strong run of form.

Liverpool had taken an early lead through Alexis Mac Allister and looked poised to take another step towards a record-equalling 20th English top-flight title. However, the team's display was marred by mistakes, and they ultimately succumbed to a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Fulham.

Fultham took advantage of Liverpool's defensive errors to score three times in 14 first-half minutes, establishing an unassailable lead. Despite Luis Diaz's late goal, which set up a nervy finish, Fulham held on with relative comfort to secure a 3-2 victory. The first-half mistakes proved to be the key reason for Liverpool's defeat.

Slot Rejects Complacency Claims

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot firmly rejected any suggestion that his side has become complacent, despite their 11-point lead at the top of the Premier League table. “I think there's no reason for us to be complacent ... we're not number one at the moment because we win every game with a margin of three or four goals,” Slot said. He acknowledged the team's first-half errors but felt that they created enough chances in the second half to salvage a point.

“I think everyone that has seen our games, it takes us so much effort, so much hard work, to win games of football, combined with quality of course.

“The team that won the league the last four seasons (Manchester City) were already 3-0 up at half-time every single game almost they played and that's not the way it is for us.”

Arne Slot's #FULLIV reaction ⤵️

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 6, 2025

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot dismissed concerns that his players' mistakes were due to fatigue. “I don't think the errors we've made have anything to do with the players being tired,” Slot said, emphasizing that mistakes are a natural part of the game.

Slot also came to the defense of his captain, Virgil van Dijk, who struggled with Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz's physicality. The coach noted that it's easy to focus on the negative aspects of a game after the fact, saying, “I know how it works, it's everywhere the same in football: if you concede three goals in the first half, everybody's like, 'wow, that was a disaster'. Now, if you look back at it, knowing that you concede three, you will probably see a few good moments as well.” This perspective suggests that Slot is looking to balance the analysis of the game, acknowledging both the mistakes and the positive moments.

He said credit had to be given to Muniz and Beto, adding: “I still see a lot of things that Virgil does really well. And if you play 50, 60 games a season, there will be also, even for him, one or two moments where he could have done better.

Defeat at Craven Cottage. #FULLIV pic.twitter.com/B9vpXBle5H

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) April 6, 2025

“But in general, I think if I look at Virgil's performance against Everton, except for this one time he missed the ball, he was outstanding so I don't worry about him.”