Premier League news: Arne Slot frustrated after Liverpool are held by Villa

By John Boston

Liverpool manager Arne Slot could barely conceal his frustration after watching his side draw 2-2 at Aston Villa in the Premier League on Wednesday night.

Mohamed Salah had capitalised on some uncertain Villa defending to fire the Reds into the lead, but it was the home side who led at the break after Youri Tielemans’ equaliser and Ollie Watkins’ header in first-half stoppage time.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected effort brought the visitors level just after the hour mark, and – in a frenetic finish – Darwin Nunez missed a sitter, Villa’s Jacob Ramsay had a goal ruled out for offside, and Donyell Malen nearly won it for the hosts with virtually the last kick of the game.

Slot ‘not happy’

The result moved Liverpool eight points clear at the top of the table, but Slot was not impressed with what he saw.

He told reporters: “The only reason why we could be happy with the 2-2 was they got the last chance of the game, maybe their third after scoring two.

“That could be the only reason where we could say a point is good to take. For everything else, I’m not happy with 2-2. I wasn’t happy at all being 2-1 down at half-time, it didn’t reflect the first half at all.”

READ MORE: Premier League news: Arne Slot relieved after Liverpool hold on to beat Wolves

Arsenal poised to pounce

The Reds may have gone 22 games unbeaten in the league and are undefeated at home, but that hasn’t quelled a growing sense of unease among their fans that they could yet be caught by Arsenal.

The Gunners host West Ham on Saturday and should Slot’s side slip up against Manchester City at The Etihad on Sunday, the gap at the top of the table could be down to five points, with Arsenal holding a game in hand.

Slot, however, denied his side had suffered a slight dip in form after a hectic run of fixtures.

The Dutchman added: “I don’t feel like that at all. If you go away at Villa it is always a difficult fixture. Performance-wise, not a dip at all in my opinion.

“What we must not do, and a bit too often now, we don’t get what we deserve. If you put all the chances in a row from us and then it’s clear which team should have won this game.

“We must not make a habit out of that as it’s happened a bit too much now but we are eight points clear with Arsenal having a game in hand.”

Conor Bradley injury concern

In a further blow to Slot, substitute Conor Bradley limped off a minute from time, and the Northern Irishman is now set to miss the trip to City on Sunday, plus the visit of Newcastle United next week.

Slot confirmed: “He felt a bit when he made a sprint. He tried to continue but had to go out.

“All the time with injuries, I always say if a player wants to go out himself, that’s not a promising sign. That will probably lead to the fact he’s 99.9% sure not available for City and I don’t expect him (to play) against Newcastle as well.”

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