Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konate and Alexis Mac Allister have taken to social media following a challenging week for Arne Slot’s squad.
The Reds suffered a Champions League exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain via penalties, followed by a Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle. This represents the most testing period of the season for Liverpool, who until now had been enjoying an almost impeccable campaign.
Despite the recent setbacks, Slot’s team remains on track to secure a record-equalling 20th English top-flight league title in the Dutch manager’s debut season at Anfield. Liverpool holds a comfortable 12-point lead over second-placed Arsenal in the Premier League standings. With only nine fixtures remaining, both Konate and Mac Allister took to Instagram to rally the troops as they gear up for the season’s final stretch.
“We are all disappointed after yesterday’s (Sunday’s) result but thank you for staying with us throughout the game,” Konate said. “We will be back and we will improve. Now it’s time for international break and then a big push going into the last months of the season.”
Mac Allister added: “Painful week for us but It doesn’t change the great things we’ve done this season, especially in the Premier League. Time to stick together and go for it after international break.”
In the aftermath of the Carabao Cup final loss, Slot dismissed suggestions that Liverpool’s opponents were more motivated on the day. “It was a game that went the way they wanted it to go,” said the Reds boss. “They got some extra energy just before half-time with the goal they probably deserved as they were threatening us more.
“We were outplayed in their style, that is true. That is what you can call outplayed, they won more duels than us. Newcastle deserved to win as the game went in the way they wanted it to go.
“It wasn’t like we were only running after them, we had to defend a lot of long balls and second balls and that’s their strength. I don’t think there was more hunger from them. They are stronger in that part of football than us and that’s why they beat us.”
