Arne Slot praised Liverpool FC for their resilience after a dramatic late winner secured victory over Everton FC, boosting their push for a UEFA Champions League place.
Liverpool began the season strongly but faltered from late September and are now set to end the campaign without silverware. Still, consecutive wins over Fulham and Everton have lifted them to fifth, seven points clear of Chelsea FC, with a top-five finish enough for Champions League qualification next season.
Mohamed Salah opened the scoring in the derby, but Everton responded through Beto after the break. Just when it looked like points would be shared, captain Virgil van Dijk headed home a dramatic winner in the 100th minute.
Van Dijk later admitted the season has fallen short of expectations, a view echoed by Slot, who acknowledged Liverpool’s struggles in the league despite difficult cup exits against elite opposition. However, he highlighted the importance of the team’s late-game mentality, especially after European fixtures.
Slot also revealed that stand-in goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili was taken to hospital with a serious wound during Everton’s equaliser, leading to Freddie Woodman stepping in and performing solidly under pressure.
The Dutch manager pointed to a growing injury list—including Hugo Ekitike, who recently suffered a long-term Achilles injury—as a major factor behind the team’s inconsistency this season.
