Liverpool manager Arne Slot addressed the media ahead of his team’s Champions League opener against AC Milan. Speaking to Sky Sport and in a press conference, the Dutch coach shared his thoughts on the upcoming match and the state of his squad.
Reflecting on Milan’s history, Slot said, “The Dutch players from Milan’s past were legends even before they went to Italy, and after as well. At that time, we Dutch followed Milan because of these players. That’s why Milan is a special club.”
Regarding team selection, Slot emphasized the need for careful consideration: “Every match is different. We played just two days ago, so we need to understand what to change. There are many elements to consider when talking about the lineup.”
On new signing Federico Chiesa, Slot clarified, “Chiesa is not yet ready to start, but if he’s with us, it means he can play for a few minutes. We need to prepare him well because after the Euros, he trained alone and didn’t play enough friendlies. The good thing is that he’s working hard, which is important. He could certainly play for a few minutes.”
During the press conference, Slot praised Dominik Szoboszlai: “I think all the players in the squad have an important role. Everyone feels more important when they play. He has been important for us, and his pressing has been exceptional. We need to work on goals. He scored three last season, but for a Liverpool attacking midfielder, his numbers need to increase. I’m confident in his qualities and the players around him with whom he’ll score more goals.”
Addressing the upcoming match against Milan, Slot stated, “I don’t think any coach is afraid to face the opponent, but we have a lot of respect for Milan. They have quality, we’re not afraid, but we respect all their players. They’ve shown they’re in good form with an excellent 4-0 victory.”
Slot also commented on Rafael Leão: “There’s a lot of talk about him, and in my opinion, he’s a top player. People always talk about top players and not those below. We’ve studied his qualities, and he’s one who catches attention. How to stop him best? We defend as a team to stop Rafa Leão’s quality. They have quality players, and I think he’s one of their best players.”
