Slot: We're making hard WORK of it

BUT REDS BOSS TIGHT-LIPPED ON NEXT MOVE IN COACHING DEPARTMENT

- By PAUL GORST

ARNE Slot believes fourth place is a fair reflection of Liverpool's first half of their Premier League season, admitting he isn't thinking of reeling in leaders Arsenal or Manchester City right now.

The champions extended their unbeaten run in all competitions to eight games with a goalless draw with Leeds United on New Year's Day but it was viewed as a missed opportunity to go five clear of Chelsea in fifth and to within four points of Aston Villa in third.

Liverpool, while unbeaten since late November, have struggled to piece together complete performances during this current sequence and they were unable to exert too much pressure on Daniel Farke's Leeds at Anfield on the night as the Reds played out their first 0-0 draw since December 2023.

"OK, that is not a nice thing to hear," Slot said, when informed of that statistic. "But I think it is clear and obvious that we hardly concede chances any more.