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.
“It’s the first time my birthday feels less significant!” Slot joked. “This game is crucial for me, but more importantly, it’s our first Champions League match, and as always, the next game is the most important.”
When asked about potential threats from Milan, Slot emphasized respect for the team, particularly noting Dutch player Tijjani Reijnders.
“No manager or team fears another, but we respect Milan’s quality and history. Tijjani Reijnders is a standout player who has performed well both here and for the Dutch national team,” 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.
“I can’t comment fully until the end of the season; ask me then,” he said. “However, 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 we’ll see how players adapt to the added fixtures; there are no clear answers yet.”
Now, the team is about to face the challenges of their packed schedule.
