Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot was far from happy with his side’s performance in the 1-0 victory at Girona which extended the Champions League leaders’ perfect start to six matches.
Mohamed Salah’s 63rd-minute penalty – his 50th goal in the competition – was the difference but it was far from plain sailing with the first half particularly disturbing for Slot.
“If you ask me about all the six games, I’m really pleased with all the results,” he said.
“I’m really pleased with the five games, the way we played. I am far from pleased about the performance tonight.”
Asked what had made him so unhappy he added: “A lot. Especially two things.
“If you play against a team who has such a good idea about football and know how to bring the ball out from the back like some other teams we faced recently, like (Manchester) City or Real Madrid then you have to be so intense if you want to make it difficult for them.
“But if every time you are waiting a few seconds and then if you do press, you are so easily out-played as this team can cause you problems and this is what they showed during the whole Champions League campaign, except for PSV Eindhoven away.
“I almost feel sorry for them because they deserve so much more in this campaign than the three points they have now.
We had hardly any control in the game, maybe the second half was better – I’m trying to be positive
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
“And every time we lost the ball we were not aggressive enough, almost every time they just went all the way to our goal.
“We had hardly any control in the game, maybe the second half was better – I’m trying to be positive.”
The low intensity meant goalkeeper Alisson Becker had a busier night than he would have expected after returning from two months out with a hamstring injury.
He made five saves in the first half to help extend the club’s run without conceding for close to nine hours and Slot was indebted to the Brazil international.
“We have an incredible goalkeeper. I said as a joke, maybe the players wanted to see how fit he was to give him so much work,” he added.
“He showed today he is probably one of the best – in my opinion the best goalkeeper – in the world.
“Let’s hope he can continue to keep bringing these performances and hope more he can stay fit.”
