Under Pressure, Slot Pays Respect to Departing Robertson Before Fulham Showdown

As Liverpool gears up for their clash against Fulham at Anfield on Saturday, Slot addressed the news regarding the Scotsman’s exit.

He remarked, “Robertson has enjoyed many fantastic seasons here as a player, but what’s truly remarkable is how he’s been embraced as a wonderful person too. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know him, and every teammate will vouch for his sense of humour and character, which has also been evident across social media.”

“What stands out most to me is the intensity with which he plays. Just two days ago, we learnt a lesson about intensity, and I can recall showing the players clips of Robbo pressing from left-back to right-back from a few seasons ago.”

“He’s achieved everything imaginable at this club and has a deep affection for it. It’s been a remarkable nine years, but this season we’ve seen less of him on the pitch, which has led to his departure. Prolonging that situation for more than a season is challenging; every player wants regular minutes on the pitch.”

Support from the Board

Slot was also quizzed about his own future following a challenging week for the reigning Premier League champions.

A defeat in the FA Cup at the hands of Manchester City was compounded by another loss in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against PSG.

When asked if he felt the backing of the club’s ownership, the Dutch manager responded: “I’ve often stated that I feel immense support from the owners, along with Richard (Hughes, sports director) and Michael (Edwards, technical director). Strangely enough, I also feel the support of the fans.”

“Before the game in Paris, despite our recent 4-0 defeat to City, fans who spotted us began singing ‘We love you, Liverpool’. Even after being outplayed for 90 minutes, the away supporters were there for us. That support has been unwavering.”

“The club understands the period we’re navigating, and in the meantime, I have their total backing.”

Reflecting on the setbacks of the week, Slot said: “We haven’t placed ourselves in the best situation. However, Paris has kept us alive in the tie, and we have seven crucial Premier League matches ahead, plus hopefully more in the Champions League.”

Confronting Fulham

Liverpool will be up against Fulham, who are currently fifth in the table and five points outside the top four. Heading into the match, Slot insists he senses a renewed confidence among his players from what he witnessed during the game at the Parc des Princes.

He added: “If there’s a silver lining from the PSG match, it’s that we faced the reigning champions of Europe. While we weren’t at our best that night, in four or five days, I believe we can demonstrate we’re far more competitive.”

“However, it also highlights that if we wish to keep progressing, we need to raise our level for the Champions League.”

“We aim to feature in it next season to prove we can perform even better, and this requires improvement in the league. Not all our players may be able to handle another intense match in a short turnaround, so we’ll see what the line-up brings.”

Slot praised Fulham’s manager, Marco Silva, for his impact on the squad’s development.

He noted: “They have a manager who has worked closely with this group for an extended period, and you can clearly see their structure and identity in how they play, often with the same players since I arrived.”

“We faced them last season at home, and despite going down to ten men, it was one of our strongest performances of that campaign, coming from behind twice. This season’s game against them encapsulated our campaign; it was unbelievable that we didn’t win after scoring in the 94th minute to take the lead.”

Hopeful for Isak’s Return

A silver lining from the PSG defeat was the return of Alexander Isak as a substitute in the second half. It marked the Swede’s first appearance since sustaining a leg fracture in December.

Slot reflected: “Having Alex back is obviously crucial for us. We’ve struggled to convert chances into goals, and he’s a proven scorer. It was wonderful to see him return, even if just for 15 minutes. I hope he regains full form quickly.”

“Last time, it naturally took him a while to get back up to speed, which is expected. However, following his injury rehabilitation, we’re optimistic he’ll reach the desired level sooner.”

Supporter Protests

To conclude, Slot was asked about the recent announcements from fan groups regarding planned protests at Anfield for the remainder of the season over ticket pricing.

Supporters have expressed their discontent regarding the club’s announcement of increases in season ticket prices for the next three seasons.

Slot stated: “Anfield has historically shown, and during my time here too, just how vital these fans are for us. A recent example was the Galatasaray match, where their fans were exceptionally loud away from home, but then Anfield truly showcased what it means to be loud.”

“It’s this atmosphere that makes Anfield unique. In general, playing at home benefits every team significantly. I’ve always felt that support, whether during good times or challenging times. Despite the protests, I hope the fans can continue to be as supportive as they have been.”