Arne Slot has responded to Michael Owen’s post-match comments about Liverpool’s season following their 1-0 win over Everton in the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday. Diogo Jota scored the only goal in the game to secure the victory at Anfield.
Michael Owen, working as a pundit for Premier League Productions, questioned Virgil van Dijk in a post-game interview. He asked whether it had been difficult to refocus on the league after tough exits in cup competitions, implying that only winning the Premier League might not be enough for a successful season.
Van Dijk seemed displeased with the question, arguing that the narrative should shift and that the season still felt “very special” to him.
Arne Slot has now weighed in, echoing Van Dijk’s sentiment. Speaking in a press conference ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Fulham, Slot described Owen’s question as “strange.” He pointed out that winning the Premier League is a major achievement, especially considering Liverpool had only done it once in 35 years.
Slot said: “If you win the league with this club, nothing else should matter. Maybe if you win it 10 years in a row, expectations change. But at Liverpool, just being in the race is a big deal. So I understand why Virgil reacted that way.”
He also highlighted the increased competitiveness of the Premier League, noting how even relegation-threatened teams now have top-quality players. Slot emphasized how difficult it is to win the league in today’s climate, saying it makes Liverpool’s current points tally even more impressive.
Liverpool, currently leading the Premier League with 73 points from 30 games, will aim to extend their lead when they face Fulham on Sunday.
