Arne Slot defended his Liverpool team selection after he had lost to Chelsea, and insisted that his fringe players deserved their chance to impress after the training so well while he was sitting on the sidelines.
Harvey Elliott, Jarell Quansah and Wataru Endo belonged to those handed rare starts with lock, although no one passed their auditions while the side of Enzo Maresca controlled the competition on Stamford Bridge.
“They deserve to play these games because they have trained so hard this season,” Slot said after their first fixture since he confirmed champions.
'We don't only judge them on this game. We judge them every day on the training field and when they play for us.
'Maybe we missed that little bit that we usually have. We have missed a few percentages to get that result.
'If you look at how we reacted after we were 2-0 down, we returned and we never gave up. Our fans did not give up. Playing against a good team like Chelsea, you can't afford much and that is what we saw.
'It is always good to see that some Fringe players are now playing with starters. Now to see them play with the other, it gives us insights.
“Nothing good comes from losing a game of football, but if I have to take positives, there were certainly a few.”
Slot was also asked if he can see Chelsea Liverpool competing for the title next season. “I expected that they would be a threat this season,” said Slot.