Arne Slot has praised Liverpool after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Everton in a tense Merseyside derby on Sunday.
Mohamed Salah had given Liverpool the lead before Beto levelled for Everton in the first derby played at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Just when it looked like points would be shared, captain Virgil van Dijk rose in the 100th minute to head home from a Dominik Szoboszlai corner and secure a vital win for the Reds.
Speaking after the match, Slot said the result meant more than just league position as Liverpool continue their push for Champions League qualification.
“Of course it is very important because we are focused on qualifying for the Champions League,” Slot said. “But the lead up to this game wasn’t as much about the league table. It was also about representing Liverpool.”
He highlighted the emotional backdrop to the fixture, following the club’s remembrance of the Hillsborough tragedy earlier in the week.
“Four days ago we paid our respects to the enormous tragedy that happened at Hillsborough. We used this for the game today because it’s a privilege to represent this club,” he added.
Slot praised both the players and supporters after a demanding schedule and a difficult run of fixtures.
“To beat Everton in their first game in the new stadium after the week we had is an enormous compliment to everybody involved,” he said. “The fans have been a big, big support for us.”
The Liverpool head coach also acknowledged the physical strain on his squad, with several players filling unfamiliar roles.
“We have played five games in 15 days with mainly the same players,” Slot explained. “We had no right-back and started without one. Curtis did really well, we had our third goalkeeper, and players out of position, but the mentality was outstanding.”
Despite the dramatic win, Slot admitted Liverpool’s season has not met their usual standards.
“In the league we are far from where we want to be,” he said. “But it’s a big compliment to this team to show that mentality and still find a way to win at the end.”
Liverpool now turn their attention to Crystal Palace at Anfield on Saturday, aiming to build momentum from a hard-fought derby triumph.
