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View image in fullscreenArne Slot claims Liverpool players have silenced doubters with ‘mental strength’Manager delighted after ‘people started to question us’Praises on-field reaction in 2-0 victory over Newcastle

Arne Slot claimed Liverpool silenced the doubters with victory over Newcastle, with an increased lead of 13 points at the top of the Premier League validating his decision to rest senior players in the FA Cup exit at Plymouth.

Liverpool stretched their lead over Arsenal with a convincing defeat of Eddie Howe’s side, whom they face in the Carabao Cup final in 18 days’ time, to build on Sunday’s impressive win at Manchester City.

Liverpool go 13 points clear after Mac Allister completes stroll past NewcastleRead more

“What impressed me most was the mental strength in both games,” said the Liverpool head coach.



Normally when players get questioned you see extra work rate from them, so that’s normal, but if you get a lot of compliments eight out of 10 players can get complacent but these players found an extra gear.

We weren’t perfect, we lost more simple balls than we usually do, but the mentality of the team and the squad was great.”

Liverpool have established a commanding lead with only 10 league games remaining.

Slot has given his squad two days off before they reconvene for the Champions League last-16 first-leg tie at Paris Saint-Germain next Wednesday.

Slot added: “This was our fifth game in 15 games and the four before were not simple games.

We all know how emotional Everton was, then Wolves and two difficult away games at Villa and City so to show up the way we did tonight, and hardly concede a chance against a very good team like Newcastle, is a big compliment to how the players handled these 15 days.

“It is the biggest reason why I didn’t take the players to Plymouth and why I didn’t take them to PSV Eindhoven as well.

Howe, who was also without Joelinton and Sven Botman, hopes all three will be available when they meet Liverpool at Wembley.

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Howe said of the defeat: “I thought we played pretty well.
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