Arne Slot has dismissed claims that Liverpool’s Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle United was due to fatigue, insisting that the Reds were simply “outplayed in their style.”
Despite entering the final as Premier League leaders and heavy favourites, Liverpool struggled to cope with Newcastle’s direct and physical approach.
Goals from Dan Burn and Alexander Isak secured a 2-1 victory for Eddie Howe’s side, with Federico Chiesa’s late goal proving only a consolation.
Addressing concerns over fitness levels following Liverpool’s grueling Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Slot rejected the idea that fatigue played a role.
“This game had nothing to do with running; this game had only to do with playing duels,” he stated. “You cannot judge if we were tired because we could not press them. They played over our press.
“We were outplayed in their style, yes. They won more duels, but that’s their biggest strength. They deserved to win because the game went the way they wanted it to,” he added.
With Liverpool now out of the Carabao Cup, Slot’s focus turns to maintaining their 12-point lead over Arsenal in the Premier League title race.
The Reds return to action against local rivals Everton after the international break.
