Biggest issue facing Liverpool is match fitness: Slot

- Liverpool’s hopes of a successful English Premier League title defence appear to be over after five defeats in six games left them eight points behind leaders Arsenal, but they will look for a quick fix against struggling visitors Nottingham Forest on Nov 22.

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Arne Slot’s Reds have plummeted to eighth after their poor run, with their 3-0 humbling at Manchester City before the international break capping a miserable period.

Pep Guardiola’s City, meanwhile, could cut the Gunners’ lead at the top of the table to just one point, at least for 24 hours, if they beat Newcastle United on Nov 22.

As for Liverpool, there were flickers of a revival with wins over Aston Villa and Real Madrid, but consistency remains elusive.

“The best way to judge a league table (is) in 38 games and the next best after 19 games. Let’s see where we are then,” said Slot, who also confirmed that Conor Bradley and Florian Wirtz are both “unable to play” following issues they picked up on international duty.

“The biggest thing we are facing now is match fitness.