Slot unhappy as Liverpool miss chance to go 10 points clear

LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot would have signed up for being eight points clear at the top of the English Premier League with 12 games left of his first season in charge, but he could not hide his frustration after a 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Feb 19.

Victory would have sent his team 10 points clear of second-placed Arsenal, having played one game more, but his side dropped points for the second time in three games to leave the door slightly ajar.

“Not so happy to be honest. I think if you look back at the game, we created far more chances then them,” Slot told TNT Sports.

“I think we did everything we had to do to get a result over here, maybe even a win.”

It was a night of mixed emotions for Liverpool, who dominated early on and took the lead in the 29th minute, thanks to Mohamed Salah’s 24th league goal of the season.

Goals by Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins then gave Villa a half-time lead before Trent Alexander-Arnold’s deflected shot just past the hour levelled proceedings.

Liverpool substitute Darwin Nunez missed a sitter and the Reds had their hearts in their mouths at the death as Villa substitute Donyell Malen shaved the post with a shot.

Slot’s side had 17 goal attempts to Villa’s nine and were left to rue a lack of precision in front of goal.

“In the final minute, (Villa) could have won it,” added Slot, whose side have lost just one league game all season.

“But if you look at all our chances in a row, it’s clear that I’m not happy with the 2-2. You can understand there is one person in the dressing room who feels quite down (Nunez failing to score the third goal).