Liverpool return to action tonight in the UEFA Champions League where the Reds take on La Liga side Girona.
Having had an unexpected weekend off from the Premier League, the Anfield giants travel to Catalonia where a win tonight could all-but confirm a top-eight finish for Liverpool in the Champions League standings.
With Alisson Becker back in the Liverpool squad for the first time since October, Arne Slot could put out a strong starting XI to face Girona with the Reds fully refreshed having not played on the weekend due to adverse weather conditions.
Yet Girona manager Michel says he now has a plan to stop Liverpool and star forward Mohamed Salah.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool in action during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on December 4, ...
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Michel plans to control Salah and Liverpool from causing damage
Speaking to the press ahead of tonight’s game, the La Liga manager revealed that a player of Salah’s form and quality can still be controlled with the right defensive tactics and plan from the start, something Girona seemingly plan to do.
With Robbie Fowler lauding Salah for his ‘unbelievable’ performance against Newcastle United last week, Girona face quite the task tonight in stopping a player many consider the current best in the world.
READ MORE: Everything to know on Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah from his wife to net worth
Yet for Michel, the Girona manager is confident that the ninth-place La Liga side can take on Salah and keep the Egyptian international quiet, with the 49-year-old coach also naming Liverpool as the best team in the world.
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Michel said: “Salah is in incredible form, but there is always the possibility of controlling a player if you can do it right. The data says that we are a team that defends well, but there are times when we stop doing it, like in transition and that is where Liverpool are the best team in the world.”
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates scoring his team's third goal during the Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at...
Photo by Joe Prior/Visionhaus via Getty Images
Girona know they face a big task in stopping Salah tonight
Salah has been the best player in Europe this season, with the 32-year-old attacker’s form instrumental behind Liverpool’s incredible runs in the Premier League and Champions League as we approach the halfway point of the campaign.
Mohamed Salah’s 2024/25 stats Games played Goals Assists
Premier League 14 13 8
League Cup 2 1 0
UEFA Champions League 5 1 4
Total 21 15 12
And Girona know they face a big task in stopping Salah tonight, with the La Liga side potentially in for a long evening if Liverpool get on the scoreboard early having also had a weekend off from action.
Indeed, a win tonight could book Liverpool’s spot in the next round of the Champions League, and there’s a good chance that Salah will again be involved in all the action for the Reds if they can strike the La Liga side where it hurts early on.
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