“‘I need to review it…’ – Arne Slot gives candid reaction after Nketiah’s dramatic late goal”

Arne Slot Offers Candid Take on Late Defeat to Crystal Palace

Arne Slot remained true to his reputation for straightforward honesty as he reflected on the dramatic goal that handed Liverpool their first loss of the season on Saturday.

Liverpool appeared to be heading home with a hard-earned point after Federico Chiesa’s 87th-minute equaliser, but a lapse in focus deep into stoppage time allowed Eddie Nketiah to grab a winner for Crystal Palace in the 97th minute.

Tensions ran high at full-time, with Liverpool’s coaching staff visibly frustrated over the extended added time—only six minutes had initially been indicated. However, once the dust settled, Slot took a measured and reflective approach to the match’s defining moment.

Slot Reflects with Perspective

In a post-match interview with Sky Sports (as reported by BBC Sport), Slot said:
“It’s never ideal to concede that late in added time, but with a substitution made, an extra 30 seconds was understandable. I still need to look back to see exactly when the goal went in, but we should’ve defended the throw-in more effectively.
We learn from every match, and games like this provide even more valuable lessons.”

Clear and Honest as Always

As ever, Slot didn’t sugarcoat the truth. His blunt assessment of Nketiah’s goal—much like his remarks after the midweek win over Southampton—was spot on. From Liverpool’s perspective, it was a goal that should have been avoided.

The decisive moment came just as the game ticked into the 97th minute. While Milos Kerkez initially did well to halt one Palace attack from a throw-in, Liverpool lost their defensive shape on the next play, giving Nketiah the opening he needed.

Regardless of how much added time is shown, full focus is essential until the final whistle. Liverpool failed to maintain that, and the consequences were immediate. The blame lies squarely on their shoulders.

Looking ahead, Slot will undoubtedly hammer that point home in training before Tuesday’s Champions League trip to face Galatasaray. That fixture presents a swift chance for the Reds to move on from the Selhurst Park disappointment and aim for back-to-back wins to kick off their European campaign.

If Liverpool absorb the hard lessons from this defeat, there’s every reason to believe they’ll remain strong contenders in the Premier League title race. Despite this setback, they still sit atop the table.