Liverpool head coach Arne Slot admitted it was a disappointing performance after the Carabao Cup final loss against Newcastle United at Anfield on Sunday. The Reds suffered a 1-2 loss against Eddie Howe’s team but Slot felt the visitors were deserved winners.

Dan Burn scored at the stroke of half-time for the tourists whereas Alexander Isak doubled the team’s lead seven minutes into the second half. Federico Chiesa got a consolation goal late in the game but it was not enough for any late drama.

Reflecting on his own team’s display, Slot said: “Disappointing result. Disappointing performance. Completely different from how I felt after the PSG game. Losing twice in a row is something I think we’ve done for the first time, but that probably also comes with going into the latter stages of a tournament.

“PSG and Newcastle are two very good teams, both in their own styles. We already knew from the game at St James’ Park how difficult it is to beat [Newcastle]. It was a tough week, but it was also a week when we extended our lead to 12 points so it wasn’t all negative. But the last two were definitely not what we wanted.”

This was Newcastle’s first domestic trophy in 70 years but Slot felt the opposition wasn’t hungrier than them.

“It was a game that went the way [Newcastle] wanted it to go and they got some extra energy with the goal just before half time, which they probably deserved after the first 45 minutes because they were threatening us more than we were threatening them. I don’t think there was more hunger from them.”

Liverpool will next take on Everton on April 2nd and Slot’s team will look to get back their winning impetus in the Premier League.

“I would have loved to play next week, but now the situation is that they go to their national teams where they have to play two more games again,” Slot said. “Then it is a week before we face Everton, who are again a team we have already faced, and we know how difficult that one was.”