No Slot bitterness - that's the LONG and short of it

FOOTBALL, similar to life itself, is very much about perception.

- Ian Doyle

What is viewed as an encouraging positive by some may be interpreted as a blistering negative by others.

Arne Slot discovered that for himself this week during the immediate fallout of Liverpool's dismal Premier League defeat at home to Manchester United last Sunday.

In assessing the game, Slot pointed out his team struggled to find a way through a United side who started without a recognised striker, sat back with an organised defence and were more than happy to play the ball long.

For most who watched, it was a fair enough assessment and a further example of how best to negate the Premier League champions.

But for some it was seen as one of the most grievous comments ever uttered against the Old Trafford outfit, with Slot facing accusations of being a sore loser after a fourth successive defeat in all competitions.

The statistics, though, side with the Liverpool boss.

United played the most long balls of any visiting team at Anfield this year, which totalled more than 25% of their passes in the game.

In the Premier League this season, they have the most long pass attempts of any side.