compiled by Elmili TK
Liverpool manager Arne Slot responded to claims that the Premier League leaders have benefited from luck this season by referencing a famous quote from basketball legend Michael Jordan.
The Reds secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain in their Champions League last-16 first-leg match, despite being outplayed for much of the game. PSG dominated with 27 shots, but goalkeeper Alisson’s heroics kept them at bay before Harvey Elliott snatched a late winner.
“We weren’t just a little lucky—we were really lucky,” Slot admitted. “But as Michael Jordan once said, ‘The harder you work, the more luck you have.’ That’s the biggest compliment I can give the players—they worked incredibly hard.”
Slot praised his team’s resilience, highlighting their ability to withstand pressure, maintain focus, and capitalize on opportunities despite being on the back foot for much of the game.
Injuries and Success: More Than Just Luck
Liverpool’s strong season has led some rival fans to attribute their success to fortune, particularly with key players at Arsenal and Manchester City sidelined due to injuries. The Reds currently sit 13 points clear at the top of the league, with a chance to extend their lead to 16 points before their closest challengers play their next matches.
Critics have pointed to Liverpool’s wins over injury-hit opponents—such as Manchester City without Erling Haaland and Newcastle missing Alexander Isak—as further evidence of their supposed good fortune.
However, Slot dismissed this notion, insisting that Liverpool’s relatively low injury count is a result of meticulous preparation, not luck.
“If you think injuries are just about luck, then yes, we’ve been lucky,” he said. “But we believe it’s about how we work. Our players are top professionals who do everything to stay fit, and we have great facilities and an excellent staff.”
While acknowledging that Liverpool have had their own injury setbacks—including long-term absences for Diogo Jota, Alisson, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Joe Gomez—Slot emphasized that injuries are an inevitable part of the game. What matters, he argued, is how a team manages them over the long term.
“You can’t go through a season without injuries,” he said. “It’s about minimizing them, and I hope we’re doing things the right way.”
