Arne Slot says Liverpool are improving despite a dramatic 2-1 loss to Manchester City, a result that damages their Champions League qualification hopes.
LIVERPOOL: Manager Arne Slot insisted his Liverpool side are showing clear improvement, even if recent results fail to reflect it, after a dramatic 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City dealt another blow to their top-four ambitions.
The Reds have won just one of their seven Premier League games in 2026, leaving them sixth and four points outside the Champions League places.
They were on course for a vital victory at Anfield thanks to a stunning Dominik Szoboszlai free-kick.
A chaotic finale, however, saw City equalise in the 84th minute through Bernardo Silva before Erling Haaland converted a stoppage-time penalty winner.
“You cannot compare this game with three or four months ago. We have improved so much, but we need to improve the results,” said Slot.
“So many times this year we haven’t got what I think we deserve and this is another time.”
The penalty marked the fourth time this season Liverpool have conceded a league winner in added time.
Further drama ensued when City had another goal ruled out after Szoboszlai was shown a red card for pulling back Haaland in the build-up.
The dismissal rules the Hungarian midfielder out of Wednesday’s trip to Sunderland.
City boss Pep Guardiola was frustrated by the disallowed goal, saying, “Come on referee, give (the) goal and go home.”
Slot, however, directed his anger at an earlier first-half incident when City defender Marc Guehi was only booked for pulling back Mohamed Salah just outside the area.
“If there is any incident we should talk about, it’s when Mo Salah is one-on-one with the goalkeeper,” added Slot.
“Anyone who has been to this stadium in the last seven or eight years knows that is a goal for Salah. Once again, the referee decides not in our favour.”
City’s first victory at Anfield in front of a crowd since 2003 moved them to within six points of league leaders Arsenal.
