We are not focused on title race — Arne Slot plays mind games ahead of Man City clash

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has claimed he is not currently focused on the Premier League title race ahead of their pivotal trip to face Manchester City on Sunday.

His comments could be interpreted as mind games designed to take the immense pressure off his side, after a run of just 1 win in their last 5 league games.

The Reds, champions again in Slot’s first season after replacing Jürgen Klopp, have found their title defence a challenge. A difficult run of four consecutive defeats saw them lose crucial ground to the leaders.

Liverpool travel to the Etihad Stadium trailing leaders Arsenal by seven points, with City sitting between the two, six points adrift of the Gunners.

Arsenal have a chance to widen that gap further when they play Sunderland a day before the City-Liverpool clash.

Slot insisted his main concern is internal consistency and fitness, not the league table.

“I only focus on ourselves and our main focus is on consistency at the moment,” Slot said at his pre-match press conference.

“We have lost a few games, much more than we usually do. Now we have won two.

“So our focus is on improving and getting players fit, and we’ll see where that leads to, but at this moment in time, the league table is definitely not the only focus we have.”