Liverpool manager Arne Slot has admitted his side struggled in key areas during their 1-1 Premier League draw against Chelsea at Anfield on Saturday.

The Reds took an early lead through Ryan Gravenberch before Enzo Fernandez equalised for Chelsea in a tightly contested encounter.

Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, Slot acknowledged that Liverpool found it difficult to contain Chelsea’s midfield structure during large parts of the game.

“I think we started really well, scored a goal, got a big chance from a set piece where we were close to scoring a 2-0,” Slot said.

“Then, in quite a large phase of the game, we struggled to control their sixes; they were constantly able to find them and set up an attack.”

The Liverpool boss also expressed frustration over another goal conceded from a set-piece situation, describing it as avoidable.

“Unfortunately, like last week, we conceded a set piece. That makes it really hard in a top game to win a game of football if you have a negative balance in set pieces,” he added.

“Especially if you look at it, and it’s such a sloppy goal.”

Opinion: Slot’s Honesty Shows Liverpool Still Have Tactical Gaps to Fix

One thing becoming increasingly noticeable about Arne Slot is his willingness to openly acknowledge his team’s weaknesses rather than hide behind excuses.

Against Chelsea, Liverpool showed flashes of attacking quality, especially early in the match, but the game also exposed tactical vulnerabilities that stronger opponents can exploit.

Slot’s comments about Chelsea’s “sixes” controlling midfield space reveal a deeper issue. Liverpool struggled to maintain midfield compactness, allowing Chelsea to build attacks too comfortably during long periods.

Even more concerning is the repeated issue with set-piece defending.

For a team competing at the highest level, conceding “sloppy” goals from dead-ball situations can become costly in decisive matches. These small defensive lapses often separate title winners from teams that fall short.

Still, there are positives for Liverpool fans.

Under Slot, the team appears tactically flexible and willing to adapt during matches. The openness from the manager also suggests a coach focused on improvement rather than public blame.

The challenge now is consistency.

Because while Liverpool remain dangerous going forward, the inability to fully control games against strong opposition could become a recurring obstacle if not corrected quickly.