Slot blast inspired Liverpool's comeback against Southampton

Slot was watching from the Anfield stands as he served the last game of his touchline suspension for a foul-mouthed tirade at the officials following Liverpool's draw with Everton. The Reds boss was still able to join his players in the changing room at the interval and took the opportunity to let rip after their dismal first half display against bottom of the table Southampton.

A mix-up between Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson Becker allowed Will Smallbone to give the Saints a shock lead seconds before the break. But Slot was quick to point out their flaws and demand an improvement before making a triple substitution with Harvey Elliott, Andy Robertson and Alexis Mac Allister coming on and immediately changing the dynamic.

Within the space of five minutes, Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah netted to restore order as Liverpool avoided an embarrassing defeat. Salah, who blasted home his second penalty of the afternoon in the 88th minute, said in a post-match television interview that Slot's "head was going for us".

"I didn't give them compliments at half-time, I can tell you," Slot said as he confirmed Salah's view on the half-time talk. "Maybe I can tell you it was because I was sitting up there instead of on the line. When you watch a game from there, you always feel that 'Ah, even I can play in this game' but when you are on the line, there is more tempo.

"I don't think I was wrong if I said at half-time that the energy levels were far, far, far too low. That had to change and that is why we made three substitutions, apart from energy to bring in quality. Nine out of 10 times when you take three out, the other eight are like, something else should happen. That was the only thing I could come up with at half-time to create something different for the second half."

'Different energy levels'

Wednesday's hard-fought 1-0 win at Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 first leg appeared to take a toll on Liverpool's fatigued stars in the opening period. Slot was relieved to see his changes pay off and produce a more vibrant performance in the second half. "I know these players can come up with completely different energy levels than they did in the first half," Slot said.

"It was the first time this season I saw this tempo. When I look at the game against PSG, we have to go one step up in terms of intensity and compared to the game today, we need to go five, six, seven steps up if we want to have any chance of reaching the next round." Second-placed Arsenal have two games in hand on Liverpool, starting with Sunday's trip to Manchester United.

But Slot's men are odds on favourites to win a record-equalling 20th English title and first since 2020. With no more league games on the schedule for Liverpool in March, the Reds will turn to the Champions League on Tuesday when PSG visit Anfield. Then they will head to Wembley for the League Cup final against Newcastle as Slot looks to win his first trophy since replacing Jurgen Klopp last year.