Arne Slot expressed his disappointment over Darwin Nunez’s missed open goal in Liverpool’s 2-2 draw against Aston Villa but emphasized that Nunez was likely more upset than anyone else.

Liverpool took the lead through Mohamed Salah’s brilliant strike in the 29th minute, but Villa fought back, with goals from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins putting the hosts 2-1 up by halftime.

The second half saw Trent Alexander-Arnold level things up for Liverpool on the hour mark. However, the real drama came when Dominik Szoboszlai made a superb run, leaving Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez stranded. Szoboszlai squared the ball to Nunez, who, despite beating Villa’s Tyrone Mings to the ball, fired his shot over the bar from a point-blank range, much to the frustration of Liverpool’s away supporters.

Reflecting on the chance in his post-match interview, Slot said: “The pass from Conor Bradley was incredible, and Dominik Szoboszlai made a fantastic run, making the perfect choice to square the ball. That left Nunez with a near-open goal. It wasn’t Nunez’s strongest foot – he’s right-footed – but it was still a massive chance.”

“He was unlucky, and I was hoping he’d get another opportunity because a player of his quality likely wouldn’t miss twice in a row. He was very close, but Martinez made a brilliant sliding tackle to deny him.”

“Of course, we were all disappointed, but it’s normal for the player to feel it the most,” Slot added, acknowledging Nunez’s evident frustration.

While a win would have put Liverpool 10 points clear at the top of the Premier League, Slot’s side now hold an eight-point lead, ahead of a crucial title showdown this weekend.

On Sunday, Liverpool will face Manchester City, who are struggling after a 6-3 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Assessing his team’s performance in Birmingham, Slot reflected: “It was a great game overall. Going into halftime 2-1 down didn’t feel quite right, but I was still disappointed with how we finished the first half.”

“We came out strong in the second half, got the equalizer at 2-2, and created more opportunities to go ahead. At the same time, we were fortunate not to concede again. It was a fantastic match, but I’m not satisfied with the outcome.”

He continued, “Defensively, I thought we were solid. Villa didn’t really create many chances, and we were unfortunate with the balance of set-pieces. We scored two excellent goals and had enough opportunities to secure a win.”

“We’ve been in similar tight situations before, like our 2-1 win over Wolves, which was tough right up until the final minutes. Our players are used to playing under pressure, especially when fighting for trophies.”

Slot concluded: “We played well today, but that was also down to the way Villa approached the game. Every team faces every other team twice in a season, and this week we’ve had Villa away and City away. The important thing is we didn’t lose. We wanted more, and that’s something we can hold ourselves accountable for. We can’t let this become a recurring issue.”

There are growing concerns within the Manchester United squad about Ruben Amorim’s coaching approach, with some players starting to lose trust in the Portuguese manager’s methods, a new report suggests. The criticism stems from the belief that recent victories have relied more on individual brilliance or sheer luck, rather than Amorim’s tactical system.

Currently sitting in 15th place in the Premier League, United’s struggles are evident, with the team experiencing a negative goal difference and suffering twelve defeats, including a 1-0 loss at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday. This marks their worst start to a season since 1973/74, the last time they endured such a dismal run, which ultimately led to relegation.

While United has seen some success in domestic cup competitions, with a FA Cup fifth-round tie against Fulham and a Europa League last-16 matchup on the horizon, injuries to key players Lisandro Martinez and Amad have further diminished their chances in these tournaments. Both players are expected to be sidelined for the remainder of the season.

Players Losing Confidence in Amorim’s System
So far this year, United has won five matches, drawn once, and lost three, but these victories have often come through individual moments of brilliance or a stroke of good fortune, particularly from Amad. This inconsistency in performance has led some players to question Amorim’s approach.

According to Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail, a growing faction within the squad is beginning to lose faith in Amorim’s system, with many feeling that even when the team wins, it’s more due to individual quality than any tactical superiority. One source close to the dressing room revealed that players feel lucky after each victory, with the sentiment being, “We got away with one, but we might not be so fortunate next time.”

Previously, some United players had urged Amorim to consider adjusting his tactics, especially as they faced difficulties adapting to his favored 3-4-3 formation. However, Amorim has remained steadfast, refusing to abandon the system that brought him success in his career.

Amorim’s Refusal to Compromise
At the highest levels of football management, compromise can often lead to stagnation. This is a stance Amorim seems unwilling to adopt, much like other elite coaches before him. Pep Guardiola, for example, never wavered from his tactical philosophy when he arrived at Manchester City, and Jurgen Klopp did the same at Liverpool. These managers thrived because their clubs provided the necessary structure and support to allow their methods to succeed.

In contrast, the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era at Manchester United has been turbulent, with several managers struggling to implement their ideas, only to adapt or abandon their approaches in the face of mounting pressure. Erik ten Hag, for instance, faced similar challenges in adjusting his tactics to the squad’s strengths and weaknesses.

For Amorim, maintaining his system and philosophy seems non-negotiable. He is determined not to fall into the trap of compromising his principles, even as certain players within the squad are pushing for tactical changes in response to their difficulties on the pitch.

Arne Slot is optimistic that his controversial decision regarding Liverpool’s FA Cup lineup against Plymouth Argyle will ultimately benefit the team’s pursuit of Premier League glory.

The Reds are preparing for a crucial showdown with Aston Villa on Wednesday, where a victory would push them 10 points ahead of Arsenal, despite the Gunners having a game in hand.

Liverpool is navigating a grueling fixture schedule, with five league matches crammed into just 15 days. This follows a hard-fought draw against Everton and a solid win over Wolves at Anfield.

Slot faced widespread criticism for fielding a significantly altered squad in the FA Cup fourth-round defeat to Plymouth, leaving out 11 key players. However, he remains convinced that this tactical move was essential. Despite some fatigue showing in the latter stages against Wolves, Slot insists his team has shown resilience in handling the intense match schedule.

“You consider many factors when selecting a lineup. The players showed some tiredness late on Sunday, which was expected after an emotional clash against Everton on Wednesday. That game took a lot out of us,” Slot explained.

“For the remainder of the season, these players have demonstrated time and again that they can bounce back within a few days. That’s precisely why they didn’t feature in Plymouth—to ensure they were fresh for this demanding run of games. There are always many aspects to weigh when making these decisions, so we’ll see how things unfold.”

With a crucial clash against Manchester City looming, Liverpool will still be missing Cody Gakpo, along with Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton due to long-term injuries. On a positive note, Curtis Jones returns to the squad after serving a one-match suspension.

Slot also commented on how managerial changes can impact player performances. “When a new manager arrives, you often see players performing at a much higher level. This can also happen when they move to different clubs,” he observed.

“You mention Rashford, but look at Antony thriving at Betis as well. I’ve always said United have had quality players for years. Some shine at Old Trafford, while others flourish elsewhere. But Rashford, in my view, remains one of England’s top attackers when he’s at his best.”

As the title race intensifies, Liverpool will hope Slot’s strategic planning pays off in their pursuit of silverware.