Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has admitted his side need “a bit of magic” to break down stubborn opponents, with the reigning Premier League champions sitting fourth at the halfway stage of the season, 12 points behind leaders Arsenal.

Although Liverpool are currently on a seven-game unbeaten run in the league — a spell that steadied the ship after suffering six defeats in seven matches — Slot acknowledged performances have been more about grinding out results than producing fluent football ahead of Sunday’s trip to Fulham.

“Every single game we play, it is hard work. It is two teams quite close to each other,” Slot told reporters.

“We are mainly the team that is probably better than the other team, but not enough. We are constantly within this 20 per cent difference and if you are inside this 20 per cent difference, then small moments — going to the floor or not — mean a lot for the result.

“I will keep pushing and the players will keep pushing to get to a situation where we are more than that 20 per cent. If we can make the difference bigger, then hopefully we find moments where we can fly through the season.”

Two-team title race

Slot also played down Liverpool’s chances of mounting a title challenge at this stage, insisting Arsenal and Manchester City — separated by four points — remain well clear of the chasing pack. Aston Villa, meanwhile, have dropped further back following their recent defeat to Arsenal.

“Realistically, I think there are two teams,” Slot said. “Villa were really close to them, but because Arsenal won against Villa they created a bit of a gap of six points.

“Those two teams are quite far away from us at the moment and we should not be looking at them right now.”

While Liverpool have shown improvement defensively in recent weeks, Slot highlighted continued difficulties in attack despite his side dominating possession.

“It is clear and obvious we find it quite hard to generate enough chances for all the ball possession we have, and that’s not new for us this season,” he said.

“Sometimes you need a bit of magic to unlock a game or a set-piece. If that happens, then all of a sudden everything looks much nicer, but that has not been our season until now.”

Slot expects a more open contest against Marco Silva’s Fulham, who drew with Crystal Palace on Thursday and sit 11th in the table.

“I expect a different game against Fulham,” he said. “When they play at home, they want to attack and have the ball a lot.

“That is how I know their manager, so it will probably be a much more open game. In games like that, we have to show we can still defend well and not concede too much.”