Newcastle were not better than us, says defiant Slot

Liverpool coach Arne Slot believes that their 12-point lead at the top of the Premier League will soften the blow of losing to Newcastle United in the Carabao Cup final.

He also believes that his side did not deserve to lose to the Magpies.

Liverpool, Sunday, competing in their second successive Carabao Cup final lost 2-1 to a Newcastle side inspired by a hardworking display to earn their first trophy in nearly 70 years.

Dan Burn and Alexander Isak scored the Newcastle goals.

Newcastle did a good job of stopping the league leaders who had their talisman Mohammed Salah quiet for most of the match.

Losing a final, any final is undeniably an episode no team enjoys. Liverpool are no different. There is no consolation for losing, but for the Reds, there is no time to feel sorry for themselves.

"We are here in one of the biggest clubs in the world, Liverpool, but it’s not for the first time in their history or in the last two seasons that they’ve lost two games in a row,” he told the BBC after the match.

“This is part of playing football, especially if one of them is when you face the best team in Europe at the moment and the other one is facing Newcastle, which is a very strong team in England, he added.

Acknowledging the difficult run, Slot highlighted that Liverpool had extended their Premier League lead.

“I want to make clear one more time that the week started well by us beating Southampton,” he said. “That’s why we extended our lead to 12 points with nine games to go.

“And, yeah, you know if you go far in tournaments that the opposition in your face gets stronger and stronger and that you can lose. Even Liverpool can lose football games. That’s what can happen, he added.

Slot dismissed suggestions that Newcastle dominated the match, stating that while the Magpies deserved their victory, Liverpool were not entirely outplayed.

" I feel that my players competed well in the game but Newcastle took their chances. Congratulations to them, he completed.

Liverpool will take on rivals Everton in their next Premier League clash on 2 April at Anfield as they aim to finish off their season in style with a first title in 5 years.