Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Arne Slot gives the thumbs up to the travelling Liverpool fans after the 2-2 draw at Aston Villa(Image: Cameron Smith - Danehouse/Getty Images)

Arne Slot has defended the tactical decision that saw him start with just two forwards and four midfielders in Wednesday night’s 2-2 draw with Aston Villa.

Luis Diaz dropped to the bench from Sunday’s 2-1 win over Wolves as Curtis Jones returned in the Colombia winger’s place.

Mohamed Salah opened the scoring before strikes from Youri Tielemans and Ollie Watkins gave the hosts the half-time lead.



Trent Alexander-Arnold made it 2-2 in the second half after his effort was deflected over Emi Martinez.

“Result-wise, going 2-1 in at half-time, you could say it didn’t work.

Performance-wise, it worked really, really, really well because we totally did not deserve to go in 2-1 down at half-time – again, in my opinion,” Liverpool head coach Slot said explaining the tactical tweak.

READ MORE:Liverpool injury blow confirmed as star set to miss Man City and Newcastle gamesREAD MORE:What Liverpool players may have seen in away end telling but title truth still clear

"The reason why we did this is because Lucho (Luis Diaz) played three games in seven days.

I played him at Plymouth because I knew I had Cody (Gakpo) so I could switch them around if needed but then Cody got injured at Everton, he got a big knock, and then all of a sudden you have only one winger left.

"So, that’s why for today we felt this could work and I felt it did if you look at the amount of chances we created and how we played the game.

Article continues below

"But result-wise you never know if you would have done it differently what might have happened but it wasn’t smart to play Lucho 90 minutes again.

"The same way I had to take out (Diogo) Jota and Trent (in the second half), both coming back from injuries.

Jota hasn’t played for four or five months, it is his second start now after four or five months.

"So yeah, you have to take care of them, especially in a period of time where you play so many games."


For more news relating to Newcastle United, visit our sister site NUFC Latest Live.