Liverpool manager Arne Slot took another less than subtle swipe at Manchester United’s long-ball approach by highlighting Eintracht Frankfurt’s willingness to keep the ball on the ground.
The Dutch boss was notably unimpressed with United’s aerial assault at Anfield last Sunday. Ruben Amorim’s side rarely played the ball around their backline, robbing Liverpool of any opportunity to press and win possession close to Senne Lammens’s goal.
The tactic was advantageous both offensively and defensively. United’s opening goal came after Bruno Fernandes gobbled up a loose ball following a long punt forward. “It’s always difficult playing against a team that plays a low block and long balls,” Slot sniped after the 2–1 defeat. “It’s even more difficult when you concede a goal in the opening minutes with a man lying on the ground.
“When you play United, with all their talented players, and they’re playing a low block at our home and playing long balls, the last thing you want is to go behind because it gives them even more confidence,” Slot later added, the bitterness dripping off his words.
Eintracht Frankfurt were less reliant upon long balls but were thumped 5–1.
