As Liverpool make final preparations to take on PSG at the Parc des Princes tomorrow night, Arne Slot has attempted to stoke some belief in his side.
Liverpool have been rightly criticised for their performances all season, and the 4-0 loss to Man City was the pick of the bunch. It makes getting excited about this trip to the Parc des Princes rather difficult.
Even disregarding form, this is a clash with the current Champions League holders. In his press conference, Slot alluded to that when asked if Liverpool can win the Champions League, saying: “I don’t think so far ahead, especially if you face PSG. Champions of Europe, fully deserved.”
No Salah against PSG, unchanged at the back…
Any issues, Reds? 👀
Predicted XI Liverpool vs PSG
Predicted XI Liverpool vs PSG
He did backtrack somewhat soon after, claiming Liverpool could win it all and laying out the reasons as to why.
Arne Slot believes Liverpool can still beat anyone
Of course, the manager has to back his team, especially with Slot under so much pressure at Liverpool.
The final question posed to him on Tuesday night was regarding the team’s inability to string together a run of form, at which point Slot sent a message of encouragement to players and fans alike.
He said: “I cannot debate performances have been inconsistent. The answer lies in the history of Liverpool. This club has always shown that they stand up in tough moments. We’ve had a few and stood up a few, so we have to show that mentality again.
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“This club has shown we can do special things in difficult circumstances, if we can bring this to Anfield – like the Galatasaray game – we played the best game at the season at home. It’s easier said than done because we’ve shown far too many times we have phases in games, usually 5-10 [minutes], but 20 at Etihad, four goals conceded.
“So like I said, easier said than done but this group has shown many times it can come back after setbacks. Apart from the quality my team has — PSG do too — but my team have shown in big games, with the exception of twice at the Etihad, we can compete with the best teams in Europe.”
For a place in the final with Xabi Alonso 👀Who gets the nod?
Slot or Klopp?
Arne Slot vs Jurgen Klopp
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Look, it’s hard to be super optimistic right now as a Liverpool fan. We have been through the trenches this season.
But the truth is, Liverpool can beat any team on their day. The quality is there, and it has been shown in flashes over the course of the campaign. If we can keep the scoreline friendly through the first leg, we all know what can happen at Anfield on a European night.
And that would be the toughest opposition out of the way.
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