Liverpool manager Arne Slot has demanded a strong response from his team in Wednesday's Merseyside derby at Everton following their shock FA Cup defeat to Plymouth Argyle. The Reds suffered an unexpected 1-0 loss to the Championship's bottom club on Sunday, leaving their manager visibly frustrated.
"We beat Accrington Stanley [in the FA Cup third round] but to lose against Plymouth is, of course, not acceptable. As a team, and I think our fans as well, are disappointed by that result," Slot expressed, highlighting the need for immediate improvement.
The upcoming derby at Goodison Park carries additional significance as it will be the final Merseyside derby at the historic venue, with Everton set to move to their new stadium next season. The fixture, originally scheduled for December 7, was postponed due to Storm Darragh amid safety concerns.
Despite the recent FA Cup setback, Liverpool has an opportunity to extend their Premier League lead to nine points. However, they face an Everton side that has shown improved form under new manager David Moyes, winning their last three league games since he replaced Sean Dyche in January.
Slot, who will experience his first Merseyside derby as Liverpool manager, emphasized the importance of maintaining composure while matching the game's intensity. "I hope they can focus on what they have to do but it is not only tactical, you also have to stand up those emotions," he stated, adding that his players should "have a cool head but not cool legs" during the match.
The Dutch manager's concerns about match intensity were evident in his reference to the Plymouth game, where he noted the aggressive nature of tackles and the impact of stadium atmosphere. "I noticed also in the Plymouth game that the intensity of the tackles, how aggressive they were, it was a quality of their players but it was also definitely because of the emotions in the stadium so we have to be up for that," Slot explained.
In a boost for Liverpool, right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold could be available for selection following his injury layoff, potentially strengthening their squad for this crucial derby encounter.
