Arne Slot said Premier League top scorer Mohamed Salah proved he is "human" after missing an open goal at a crucial stage of Liverpool's thrilling 3-2 loss at Brighton.
With the champions leading 2-1 at the Amex Stadium, Reds forward Salah had a golden chance to mark his 300th Premier League appearance with a 29th top-flight goal of the campaign.
But he somehow fired wide from the edge of the six-yard box in the 54th minute before goals from substitutes Kaoru Mitoma and Jack Hinshelwood completed Albion’s comeback victory.
Defeat mattered little to Liverpool, but they have now taken just one point from three games since clinching the title on 27 April.
"The first thought that goes through my head when I see the ball moving towards Mo, I’m like, 'It’s quite a big chance, this could lead to a goal,’ because that’s what Mo normally does," said head coach Slot.
"But he’s been throughout this season almost inhuman. But there were moments in the season where he was human, so it’s not the first time that he’s not scoring for one or two games in a row.
"But the good thing for us is this hardly ever happens and, if it happens, you can be sure that he will score in the third game of the fourth game."
Liverpool, who left Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench ahead of his summer exit, were given a guard of honour as they entered the pitch, which prompted boos from some home fans.
First-half goals from Harvey Elliott and Dominik Szoboszlai, either side of Yasin Ayari’s leveller, helped subdue Seagulls supporters.
But, following Salah’s uncharacteristic miss from a Cody Gakpo cross, Mitoma equalised in the 69th minute before Hinshelwood pounced five minutes from time.
Slot is confident Reds midfielder Alexis Mac Allister will be fit for the start of next season.
The Argentinian World Cup winner was left out against his former club and will miss Sunday’s season finale at home to FA Cup winners Crystal Palace.
"He needs rest at this moment in time to recover completely and to be ready for the start of next season," said Slot.
"But that will be no problem for him to be back next season.
"I think he played throughout the last part of the season with the Argentinian mentality that he has, so he never gives up, no matter what he feels.
"But it’s not smart to play a player that has, not a big injury, but has something to take the risk with."
Having secured top spot with four games to spare, the Reds are 12 points clear of Mikel Arteta's Gunners, despite picking up a solitary point from their last three fixtures.
"We won this league because we’ve been so consistent, we’ve done so many things right," said Slot.
"But we haven’t won it in a way like (Manchester) City did it for the last four seasons where they just could close the eyes and they were 4-0 up.
"We’ve been very close in terms of quality with all the teams we’ve competed with.
"That’s why it’s also such a big compliment that we won this league by such a big margin, because the quality margins are not so much different between us and some other teams.
"To lead by 12 now is a big compliment to our players."
Brighton must remain in eighth place to stand any chance of scraping Conference League qualification.
Albion, who finish the season at Europa League finalists Tottenham on Sunday, would then need Chelsea to finish seventh and beat Real Betis in next week's Conference League final.
European glory for Chelsea combined with Carabao Cup winners Newcastle ending up seventh would also be sufficient for the Seagulls.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler said: "The only thing we can do is focus on the next match, that’s the only thing we can influence, and that’s what we will do."
Asked what he expects from 17th-placed Spurs, Hurzeler replied: "A Tottenham like they played the whole season with a lot of intensity, with a lot of individual quality.
"A Tottenham team which can beat every team in the league so we have to be ready for that."
Match-winner Hinshelwood reflected on a memorable evening after coming off the bench at the same time as his 17-year-old cousin – Premier League debutant Harry Howell – and hitting the decisive goal a minute later.
The 20-year-old's finish was initially ruled out before VAR deemed Matt O’Riley, who provided the assist, was marginally onside.
"There was a nervous wait until the goal was allowed, but when it was allowed it was pure relief," Hinshelwood told Sky Sports.
"It was a really nice moment coming on with my cousin.
"We’ve been working so hard since we were kids. Playing together since we were just born kicking balls with each other.
"He made a great run across the front post to open the gap for me, I’ll be thanking him later."
