By Simon Wilkes
Liverpool boss Arne Slot admits Arsenal have ‘more at stake’ in this weekend’s Premier League showdown at Anfield (Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm UK time).
The Reds have wrapped up the Premier League title and are 15 points ahead of Mikel Arteta’s second-placed Gunners, who saw their Champions League dreams ended in midweek.
The Londoners have been the closest challengers to Slot’s troops for most of the season – but now have Manchester City, Newcastle United and Chelsea breathing down their necks in the race to finish in second place.
Liverpool arguably have little to play for – but Player of the Season Mohamed Salah will be looking to put on another dazzling display for the home fans.
Slot insists his players will be fired up for the occasion, having fallen to defeat by Londoners Chelsea last weekend.
Disappointed by defeat
The Reds boss told a press conference on Friday: “We want to win every game of football.
“We were disappointed losing to Chelsea and that is nothing different for Arsenal.
“These two clubs have the highest possible standards of what you can ask for, both are very good teams.
“Yes, we both want to win but it is a bit different to when the league might not have been finished and we hadn’t won the league title yet.
“But yes, we definitely want to win the game but I don’t think that is any different to Arsenal.”
Tough game to predict
The Dutchman is relishing locking horns with Arteta and his team, adding: “Difficult to predict but both teams look forward to this game.
“Okay, maybe there is a bit at stake for Arsenal, top four, assume they prefer second to third or fourth, we can only finish first.
“Difficult to predict if it will be edgy. 22 players on the pitch of real high quality, players off the bench with the same quality.
“Real vs Barca at the weekend, Sporting and Benfica, Feyenoord vs PSV as well, so a lot of nice games to look forward to.
“Unfortunately, they are all on Sunday! So I miss out.”
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