Arne Slot issues demand to Liverpool stars ahead of Anfield Champions League bow
Liverpool face their first Champions League home game of the season on Wednesday evening as they take on Italian side Bologna at Anfield and Arne Slot has sent a strong message to his stars
Arne Slot wants Liverpool to show Europe what it was missing now they’re back among the continent’s elite.
The Merseysiders’ boss issued the rallying cry to his Kop players and the club’s fans after they missed out on playing in Europe’s top competition last season. Six-time winners Liverpool host Serie A side Bologna on Wednesday looking to build on their opening win over AC Milan last month after returning to the competition this season.
But it will also be Slot’s first taste of a European night under the lights at the iconic stadium now he’s in charge of one of the competition’s most successful clubs. Slot said: “I am privileged enough to work at Feyenoord where Champions League nights last season were also really special.
“People tell me it will be even more special here. What I expect from our players – they have missed out on the Champions League for a year so when they step out on the pitch tomorrow I want to see this, I want to feel like they feel 'Ah, we missed it for a season'.
“A club of this standard has to be ready and I'm hoping and expecting the same from our fans. They have missed it for a season and I am hoping they feel this desire to show to Europe again. 'They missed us because of this' and that combination should hopefully lead to a very special night for everyone involved at Liverpool.”
Liverpool turn their focus to Europe tonight but domestically they are also in prime position after moving top of the Premier League at the weekend with a 2-1 victory over Wolves. But Slot wasn’t overly happy with the performance at Molineux as he grew frustrated about missed opportunities to kill the game off late on.
“We as a team, if you have so much quality, you cannot accept mediocrity,” he said. “You have to ask from yourself every second of the day, every second of the game, the highest standards that this shirt brings.
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“I and we as a staff have to set those standards very clear and that 15 minutes when we lost the ball so many times in promising positions or moments that could lead to promising positions is maybe not acceptable.”
But Slot is happy because he believes the players are on the same page as him even after seven wins from eight games in all competitions.
“I don’t lose my temper that much, I don’t think it is a good idea to lose your temper every single day because then players at a certain moment feel 'There he is again, screaming at us',” said Slot. “It doesn't work so I think it is better to show them the actual things they do but the positive thing about this group is maybe I don’t accept mediocrity but these players themselves don't accept it as well.”
Diogo Jota should be fit to be in the squad despite missing training this week but summer signing Federico Chiesa will be absent with injury.
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