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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has doubled down on comments made about Ruben Amorim's tactics during their 2-1 home defeat to the Red Devils last Sunday. Unitedsecured consecutive Premier League victories for the first time under Amorim last weekend at Anfield.

Bryan Mbeumo broke the deadlock after one minute on Merseyside, and Harry Maguire netted a header in the 84th minute. The loss was Liverpool's fourth in a row before they ended that streak in Wednesday's 5-1 win at Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.

Red Devils goalkeeper Senne Lammens relieved pressure with lengthy goal kicks, and United aimed to win the second balls, as they secured their first victory at Anfield since 2016. But Slot was irked by Amorim's tactics, which were designed to make life tough for his team.

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Speaking after the defeat to United, Slot told BBC Sport: "It is always difficult to play against a team that defends in a low block and mainly plays the long ball. It makes it even more difficult when you go one down after one minute when one of our players are on the floor."

Slot was then asked to clarify his comments during an interview before Liverpool's game against Frankfurt - insisting that he was complimenting United's gameplan.

"We faced a team [United] that had their game plan very well in order," he told TNT Sports.

"There was a bit of a debate over what I said after the game, but it was meant to be a compliment. They had a low block and played a lot of long balls. I was asked why it was difficult, and that was the reason.

"It wasn’t criticism, it was me trying to explain why the game was made difficult. If you win the ball back after they’ve played it long, there are 11 players behind the ball.

"I would add that, to a certain extent, I was positive that we created as many chances as we did. Against Palace, we were able to create a lot against a low block, the same against United, but not many games since I’ve been in charge have we been able to create many chances against a 5-4-1 low block.

"It wasn’t meant as a criticism at all. It was a very smart game plan and certainly their last three signings – two of them for sure – had an impact on the game, in Cunha and Mbeumo."

The Dutchman has been asked about those comments again before Saturday evening's trip to Brentford in the Premier League. Slot has doubled down on his assertion that comments made by him about United were misinterpreted.

"It was meant to be a compliment to the opposing manager finding a way to play against us, but I don't think it has come across like that," he said.

The Reds will be looking to avoid a fourth straight league defeat when they travel to the Gtech Community Stadium this weekend. Slot's side could close the gap to leaders Arsenal down to one point before the Gunners host Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon.

United, meanwhile, will be seeking a third straight victory when they host Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday. The Red Devils will also be hoping to avoid a fourth consecutive league defeat at home to the Seagulls, having failed to beat them at M16 since February 2022.

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