Liverpool manager Arne Slot has strongly rejected the notion that his squad's disappointing 3-2 defeat to Fulham on Sunday was the result of complacency, emphasizing that every Premier League win demands the highest level of effort from his players, no matter the circumstances.

The Reds came into the match at Craven Cottage with high hopes, knowing a victory would bring them within three wins of clinching the Premier League title, especially after Arsenal unexpectedly dropped points to Everton earlier in the day. However, their plans were derailed by a dismal first-half performance, during which Fulham scored three goals in just 14 minutes, leaving Liverpool with too much ground to make up despite a spirited second-half comeback effort.

In his post-match comments, Slot swiftly dismissed any claims of complacency, stating that there was no logical reason for his players to slack off, particularly given the tight nature of their title race. He pointed out that unlike in previous seasons, where some teams had it easy by winning matches by large margins, his team had to work exceptionally hard for every point.

“[Complacency] is the last thing. There’s no reason for us to be complacent because we’re not winning every game by three or four goals,” he said, highlighting the intense challenges his team faces on a weekly basis. “It takes us so much effort and hard work combined with quality to win games.”

Slot also appeared to throw a subtle jab at Manchester City, referencing their dominant form in recent seasons when they routinely dominated games by huge scorelines. He noted, “The team that won the league the last four seasons were already 3-0 up at half-time in a lot of the games they played. That’s not the way it is for us.” His comments underscored the point that Liverpool’s journey to the top has been filled with more competitive, hard-fought matches rather than comfortable victories.

Looking ahead, Liverpool will now focus on their upcoming clash with West Ham, where they must bounce back from this setback to maintain their control in the ongoing title race. The team remains determined to keep pushing forward and ensure they don’t let this result derail their pursuit of the Premier League trophy.