Experienced Journalist’s Rewrite:
Liverpool’s Title Aspirations Hang in the Balance of Arsenal’s Upcoming Match
Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, has made it clear that his team will not rely on Arsenal’s results to secure the Premier League title. Following a setback of dropping two points against Aston Villa on Thursday, Liverpool is gearing up for another away game against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium this Sunday at 11:30 PM local time.
Before this crucial match, Liverpool’s fierce competitor, Arsenal, will face West Ham United at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday at 10:00 PM local time. A victory for Arsenal against The Hammers could narrow the gap to just five points behind Liverpool. However, when asked about the implications of Arsenal’s match, Slot emphasized that his team’s focus remains unwavering.
“Yes, Arsenal plays before us, but we understand that it won’t make the game any easier or harder compared to when we face City. We know we have 12 matches left to play, while Arsenal has 13,” stated Slot during a pre-match press conference quoted from the club’s official website on Thursday.
Continuing, Slot added, “If we constantly monitor Arsenal or other teams’ performances, it will not benefit us. We are well aware of the challenge of playing at the Etihad, so we don’t need to factor in Arsenal in that regard.”
Looking ahead to the clash against City, Slot expressed hope for the availability of forward Cody Gakpo, who missed the previous two matches against Wolves and Aston Villa. However, Slot acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding Gakpo’s return as he has yet to join team training sessions.
“Let’s wait and see,” remarked Slot regarding Gakpo’s fitness. “I hope he will be available, but I’m not entirely certain. He hasn’t trained with the team. Perhaps he has done some light training today. I’m not entirely sure. It will be a challenging situation.”
Meanwhile, Liverpool faces the potential absence of Conor Bradley for the upcoming match at the Etihad. The 21-year-old player sustained an injury in the last game against Villa after coming on as a substitute for Trent Alexander-Arnold.
“I would be very surprised if he is involved in Sunday’s match or Wednesday’s match against Newcastle. You can assume that won’t happen,” clarified Slot regarding Bradley’s condition.
As Liverpool braces for a crucial showdown against Manchester City, the team remains steadfast in their pursuit of the title, with Slot’s strategic approach emphasizing resilience and focus amidst the challenges ahead. The outcome of Arsenal’s match against West Ham may impact the title race, but Liverpool’s destiny lies in their own hands as they navigate through the remaining fixtures of the season.
