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Slot joked about Everton during his press conference on Tuesday(Image: Liverpool YouTube)

If the pressure of the title race is getting to Arne Slot, the Liverpool boss certainly isn't showing it.

And his latest media briefing at the AXA Training Centre on Tuesday morning suggested he was relishing the championship tussle with Arsenal.

With a trip to Aston Villa next up on Wednesday evening, Slot was informed of the Midlanders' indifferent recent top-flight record that continued with Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened 10-man Ipswich Town means they haven't won in the competition since a narrow triumph at Goodison more than a month ago.

That was all the opportunity the Reds boss needed.

"If you win against Everton it's a special accomplishment, isn't it?" he responded to laughter from the assembled press hacks.

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It wasn't the first - nor last - mention of Liverpool's neighbours with some critics believing the manner in which the Reds allowed victory at Goodison to slip through their fingers, and the subsequent struggle to hold off Wolves at Anfield on Sunday, as indication nerves are beginning to take hold.

Slot, though, was all smiles even before the questioning had started when informed one journalist had attended the test event at Everton's new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock on Monday night.

"Who scored first?" enquired the Reds boss, undoubtedly in the knowledge that privilege fell to Wigan Athletic under-18s player and Liverpool fan Harry Rimmer who celebrated by showing six fingers to the 10,000 Blues supporters in attendance.

But Slot is aware the very serious business is about to begin for Liverpool, whose seven-point lead at the Premier League summit will be given a thorough examination over the next nine days with away trips to Villa and Manchester City followed by a home clash against fellow League Cup finalists Newcastle United.

The Liverpool boss, however, is taking it one game at a time.

"Villa away is like Wolves at home a difficult game for us and for everyone.

"They have a great home record maybe even more when they play in the evening.

We know it's going to be a challenge but we have quite an okay away record this season and have done quite okay in general."

Indeed, Liverpool are unbeaten in 13 Premier League away games and have already matched their tally of wins - nine - from the last campaign.

Sunday's home win over Wolves was the sixth time this term the Reds have triumphed by only one goal in the top flight, and Slot expects there to be several more close scraps during the run-in.

"I can remember Crystal Palace away it was really tight in the end and Vitezlav Jaros had to make a big save to secure the win," he said.

"If this happens at the end of the season people are going to talk about nerves.

"But securing a win in the Premier League, if you are only leading by one goal, is always going to be a lot of defending and hard work and during large parts of the season it is just hard work and in the end part of the season we talk about nerves – not me, but a lot of people talk about nerves."

The majority of Liverpool's squad are well versed in the demands of a title challenge, although their one success of recent times came when they had forged into an unassailable lead by this point of the campaign.

“I think it always helps if you have experienced it already, that's not only me but also for the players," said Slot.
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