Arne Slot confident Liverpool can handle title race pressure

Liverpool manager Arne Slot insists his team can cope with the mounting pressure of the Premier League title race, despite showing nerves in their narrow 2-1 victory over Wolves.

The Reds travel to Aston Villa on Wednesday, knowing that a win would extend their lead at the top to 10 points over second-placed Arsenal as they push for a record-equalling 20th English title.

However, Liverpool’s recent form has been shaky, nearly squandering a two-goal advantage against struggling Wolves, following a late collapse in the Merseyside derby that saw Everton snatch a stoppage-time equalizer.

Their FA Cup campaign also ended in embarrassment with a fourth-round exit to second-tier Plymouth, raising concerns that the treble chasers are feeling the heat.

Andrew Robertson admitted after the Wolves match that nerves are natural as the season nears its climax, but Slot remains unfazed, citing Liverpool’s ability to grind out close wins throughout the campaign.

“It’s not because of us, but what people make of it,” Slot told reporters on Tuesday. “We have won other games at home or away by one goal when it was also tight. I remember Crystal Palace away when it was tight in the end.

“If this happens at the end of the season, you guys are going to talk about nerves. To secure a win in the Premier League, if we are winning 1-0, is going to be a lot of defending and hard work.”

As the title race intensifies, Liverpool will need to prove they can withstand the pressure and maintain their momentum in the final stretch of the season.