Arne Slot urges Liverpool to produce 'special night' in his first UEFA Champions League return to Anfield
Published 01/10/2024 at 17:48 GMT+1
Liverpool kicked off their UEFA Champions League return with a 3-1 win against AC Milan at the San Siro and manager Arne Slot wants them to provide a "special night" when he takes charge of the club on a European night at Anfield for the first time against Bologna. You can watch the match live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Slot happy with 'special club' Liverpool delivering winning result on his birthday
Video credit: TNT Sports
Arne Slot has challenged his team to “show Europe” what they were missing with the club not being in the UEFA Champions League last season.
Liverpool host a match for the first time in 18 months in Europe’s elite club competition when they welcome Bologna to Anfield for the second match of this season’s league stage.
They spent the last campaign in the Europa League, where they lost to Atalanta in the quarter-finals.
Ahead of his first taste of a European night at Anfield, Slot is keen for his players to understand the importance of the competition to the club, who have won it on six occasions.
“I am privileged to work at Feyenoord last season where Champions League nights were special. People tell me it is going to be more special here,” he said in a press conference on Tuesday.
"What I want from the players is them to show they missed this. I want to see this, I want to feel this. That the players missed this for a season.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/09/18/4041321-81964068-2560-1440.jpg)
Highlights: Liverpool produce stirring comeback victory in Milan
Video credit: TNT Sports
“I am hoping it's the same from our fans. I hope they feel this desire to show Europe that you missed us. That combination should lead to hopefully a special night for everyone involved with Liverpool."
Slot’s side started the competition in scintillating fashion with a 3-1 win against AC Milan. Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai all found the net at the San Siro to record an impressive opening win.
Aside from a mid-September shock defeat against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League, Slot has enjoyed a successful start to life at Anfield, with seven wins from eight matches in all competitions.
They currently sit top of the league table following their 2-1 win at Wolves last time out.
The Dutchman is delighted with how his players have reacted to his arrival, after he moved in to replace Jurgen Klopp, and their ability to step up when called upon.
However, with success and good form comes a host of players being left on the sidelines, desperate to be involved.
"We have quality, but we have a lot of players who can help us,” Slot said.
“Very pleased to see when we need a player he shows up. They have quality. If they didn't have quality, they wouldn't play here. If they train hard it's hard to tell them they don't play.
"But it's part of my job and part of their lives as well. You know if you join a top club there's competition. It is what they are all used to.
“They are handling, all of them, the situation really well. There is a good energy in the group and that's the most important thing with competition.”
Diogo Jota is one of those players fighting to be involved against Bologna, after he missed training in the build-up to the clash due to an injury.
- 'Exciting' challenge to replace Rodri - Stones
- 'Classy, composed' Nwaneri deserves to start for Arsenal - Keown
- Ten Hag safe for next two Man Utd games - Paper Round
"Diogo missed out on two sessions after the game against Wolves. He took a knock. So I am expecting him to be with us tomorrow. That he is available to play,” Slot said.
The Liverpool manager also confirmed summer signing Federico Chiesa will definitely not be included in the matchday squad due to injury.
'Now we have more structure' - Mac Allister praises Slot's impact
One player certainly thriving under Slot is Argentine midfielder Alexis Mac Allister.
He has started every match since Slot’s arrival, except the Carabao Cup third-round tie against West Ham, where he came on as a substitute.
Mac Allister has welcomed a new approach to their tactical play and thinks their impressive start to the season shows they can be contenders for silverware this season.
"Between Arne and Jurgen there is not a huge difference. Now we have more structure and pattern which we know and try to improve,” he said.
“We have an amazing team and a good coach. When you play for Liverpool you have to be up there. We know it's quite early and a lot of time to see if we are in the title race."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/10/01/image-71560595-edda-4fd8-8f0b-8fe54ceb974b-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
Alexis Mac Allister made his Champions League debut against AC Milan in Liverpool's first match of the 2024/25 competition
Image credit: Getty Images
"Now that the games come thick and fast then it's a bit harder to prepare the games as much we want. But he's definitely an amazing manager.
“You can see how he's been from the first day. We understood what we wants from us, and I think that's the main thing as a coach – to get the ideas in the players. But there's still room for improvement.”
Mac Allister – who experienced huge success with his country at Qatar 2022 – is playing Champions League football for the first time this season and is hoping to get hold of another famous trophy.
"Yes, of course it's a dream to win the Champions League.
“For some people it was a surprise I have won the World Cup but made my Champions League debut against Milan. It was quite crazy.”
Watch the 2024/25 Champions League live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?