Diogo Jota Reveals Arne Slot’s Challenging Methods as New Liverpool Manager

Liverpool comfortably saw off Sevilla in a pre-season outing, hitting four past the Spaniards, but Arne Slot was quick to tell his side where they needed to improve

Diogo Jota has detailed the demands placed upon the Liverpool squad by new manager Arne Slot – who still found faults in their pre-season victory over Sevilla.

The Reds will begin their Premier League campaign with a clash against newly promoted Ipswich and warmed up in the best possible fashion by seeing off the Spanish side 4-1 in a friendly at Anfield. Even in the aftermath of their victory Slot was quick to tell his players where he wanted to see improvements.

Jota got himself on the scoresheet as those on the red half of Merseyside continue to adapt to the new methods. Slot has been looking to stamp his authority after Jurgen Klopp’s exit and the Portugal international has detailed where they need to improve.

He said: “I think we worked hard, it’s sunny today, it’s very hot. We worked hard, some of us did 90 minutes, so a good step into our preparation. Obviously it’s always good to work under victories and although we conceded a goal I think it was a good performance overall.

“New man on the touchline and everyone needs to adapt. I think we are working well, he is demanding. Even with a 4-1 win he was telling us what we need to improve and do better. So, I think that’s the way forward. I think we have played well in this pre-season, but we all know where it counts is next week.

“You try to come with new ideas and when you win, that shows everyone that you are in the right direction. Although the most important [thing] in pre-season is getting that fitness back, building on top with wins is always better and I think that although we had people arriving at different stages we are building a fully fit XI to start the campaign next week.”

Jota has been at Anfield since 2020 but is one of a number of strikers looking to land starting berths. Finding the net in pre-season will have done his ambitions no harm and the ex-Wolves man claimed his strike was among his best.

He said: “Yeah, one of the best! I hit it properly with my left foot and it ended up being a great goal. One of my best, for sure. So, [I am] happy with the result, with the way played and everybody worked out very hard today so a good step into the first game of the league next week.”

Liverpool were in the title race up until the final weeks of last season before they eventually fell away. Jurgen Klopp claimed the Carabao Cup in his final campaign and all eyes will be on Slot to see how the Reds adapt to their first managerial change in nearly a decade.