What better birthday gift for Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot than a win in their first Champions League match of the season? The team is set to face AC Milan at the San Siro in the newly formatted league stage featuring 36 teams.
โItโs the first time my birthday feels less significant!โ Slot joked. โThis game is crucial for me, but more importantly, itโs our first Champions League match, and as always, the next game is the most important.โ
When asked about potential threats from Milan, Slot emphasized respect for the team, particularly noting Dutch player Tijjani Reijnders.
โNo manager or team fears another, but we respect Milanโs quality and history. Tijjani Reijnders is a standout player who has performed well both here and for the Dutch national team,โ he stated.
This season introduces a new Champions League format, increasing the number of matches needed to reach the knockout stage from six to eight. Slot offered a measured view on this change.
โI canโt comment fully until the end of the season; ask me then,โ he said. โHowever, as a football fan, I enjoy the exciting matches every night. The old format had less compelling games on some nights. With our match tomorrow, I believe all fans are eager to watch. But weโll see how players adapt to the added fixtures; there are no clear answers yet.โ
Now, the team is about to face the challenges of their packed schedule.
