Liverpool face a “massive game” against Wolverhampton Wanderers in FA Cup fifth-round clash at Molineux tonight having lost to Wolves days ago in the league.
Liverpool return to Wolves only days after suffering a 2-1 defeat in their recent Premier League meeting earlier in the week, and Slot acknowledged the frustration of conceding decisive goals in the closing stages.
“It’s a real concern if you lose, and if you lose many times in the same manner it’s even more of a concern,” Slot said. “But the way we conceded the goals late on isn’t always the same. Sometimes it’s a set-piece, this time and against Fulham it was a shot from outside the box. Those are not big chances you gave away.”
The Liverpool boss stressed that his side’s attacking mindset would not change, even late in games.
“If you’re Liverpool and you’ve just scored the equaliser away at Wolves, it’s normal that you try to win the game,” he explained. “But it’s not as if we push Virgil or Ibou forward. We stay in our formation. Our approach is always the same – we want the ball as much as possible and when we lose it we want it back quickly.”
Liverpool’s hopes of silverware now rest on the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, after falling out of contention in the league title race and the EFL Cup earlier in the season.
Slot insisted the cup tie carried major importance for the club.
“We always find every game important and every trophy important,” he said. “Last season the club tried to win four trophies and this season we tried to win four again. Two are not possible anymore, but the two we are still in, we want to win.”
He also pointed out that Liverpool must improve quickly with another game coming just three days after their previous defeat.
“It’s not the first time this season that three days after a game we have dropped points,” Slot admitted. “Now we play Wolves again and we have to be better than the last time we faced them.”
The Dutchman also defended his squad planning despite injuries affecting several players this season.
“I’m very happy with what we did last summer,” he said. “We signed great players. Some needed time to adapt and some have had injuries. Injuries you cannot predict, but adaptation we expected. That’s part of building a squad.”
Liverpool Injury concerns
Liverpool will also travel to Molineux with several key players unavailable due to injury. Alexander Isak remains out with a long-term leg injury after suffering a fibula fracture in December, while Conor Bradley is sidelined for the rest of the season following knee surgery. Midfielder Wataru Endo is recovering from a serious foot and ankle injury and is not expected back until May. Young defender Giovanni Leoni is also out for the season with an ACL injury, while Stefan Bajcetic continues his rehabilitation after hamstring surgery and is not yet ready for first-team action.
There is a small boost regarding Florian Wirtz. The attacking midfielder had been dealing with a back problem, but Slot confirmed he returned to partial training this week and could potentially appear briefly from the bench if his recovery progresses well.
In goal, Alisson Becker could be rested for the cup tie, which may allow Giorgi Mamardashvili to start.
Wolves also have their own selection issues. Enso Gonzalez is ruled out with a knee injury, while midfielder Andre is suspended after collecting two yellow cards earlier in the competition.
With a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals at stake, Slot made it clear his side would travel to Molineux determined to respond.
“We know what’s on the line,” he said. “For us, it’s a massive game.”
