A properly media trained coach rarely offers entertaining responses in public interviews. Predictable answers are the core of standard coach speak for a reason — too much openness, honesty, and detail can be a violation of team trust. It invites pressure from the outside. Some things are better left unsaid, or at the very least, kept within the dressing room.
Arne Slot is direct when he speaks, which can be refreshing. He offers his honest opinion, along with what he perceives as the facts to back it up.
Sometimes he's too honest, though, as was the case when he was asked about Curtis Jones during his press conference for Sunday's home match versus Manchester City.
Calvin Ramsay comments
Just last month, Slot offered a callous response when asked about Calvin Ramsay's potential role in the first team.
"When someone is really unlucky with the injuries we are having, there's always a player that benefits from that and Calvin is one of them, so he's with us." Slot said.
"But I still think I have better options to play."
Allowing for the fact that English isn't Slot's first language, there's a better way to say this. Labeling Ramsay inferior to other right back options, suggesting the only reason he's near the first team is an injury pileup — even if that's true — couldn't have helped Ramsay's confidence.
Slot's job is to build his players up, make them better. Constructive criticism can be a means to that end, but this wasn't that.
On Curtis Jones
That leads us to what Slot said — and, more importantly, didn't say — about Scouser Curtis Jones during the Liverpool vs. Manchester City press conference Thursday.
Because external reports linked Jones with other clubs during the winter transfer window, Slot was asked about Jones's standing in the squad this season. It was a silver-plate-served chance to wax lyrical about his obvious quality and some of the impressive performances he's strung together over the campaign.
Instead, Slot said Jones is needed because of the thin squad. More specifically, because his midfield partners are often needed elsewhere on the field.
"The moment you start to need midfielders in different positions then the line in midfield gets smaller and smaller," Slot explained.
"[Curtis's] situation hasn't changed to us. He's one of the 16 outfield players we have available... with two really young players, Trey and Rio, included. So yeah, would be a bit strange if we would let anyone go if you only have 16 available."
I understand Slot's need to convey how limited availability has hindered Liverpool's season. I can also appreciate that he doesn't like to speak too glowingly about any of his players, opting instead to give kudos to the team as a whole.
This was still a bizarre course to take when answering a question about the value of Curtis Jones.
It's odd that any coach would steer clear of an opportunity to give a player a boost, or at least confirm that they aren't dispensable. Especially when it isn't one of the legendary tier like Mo Salah or Virgil van Dijk.
Slot doesn't have to appeal to the media. He does have to appeal to his players and the fans. These sorts of soundbites aren't helping him.