Arne Slot keen to make Liverpool’s ‘good’ season a ‘great’ one
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Thumbs-up for Liverpool manager Arne Slot, who wants to make it a great season and he believes that his players are all fit and ready to achieve that.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot did not shy away from the possibility of completing an unprecedented quadruple in his first season in English football, as he lavished praise on captain Virgil van Dijk on Feb 7.
The Reds have been impressive under the Dutch boss this campaign, storming into the League Cup final with a 4-1 aggregate win over Tottenham Hotspur on Feb 6.
Liverpool are six points clear at the top of the Premier League, with a game in hand over their challengers, and topped the Champions League group phase to progress to the last 16.
Next up, they travel to Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle on Feb 9 aiming to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup.
No English side have ever completed the clean sweep of the three domestic trophies and the Champions League in the same season, but Slot is optimistic.
“I can only tell you that at this moment in time we are in a very good place. I’m not just talking about the results, but the players are fit and ready,” he said.
“We are in a good place but we also know how long the season still is and how many difficult challenges there will still be for us. I’m not expecting us to win every game like we did (4-0 against Tottenham), but that is also not what I ask of them. We just try to do everything to win every single football match.”
Van Dijk rounded off the scoring as Liverpool swept Spurs aside to easily overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit.
The Dutchman has been imperious since his compatriot Slot took charge, despite ongoing speculation over his future as his contract expires at the end of the season.
“I think Virgil deserves every compliment he gets. He’s been outstanding for this club for so many years and, since I’m working here, he’s been outstanding for me as well for the performances he brings in,” added Slot.
“Virgil, like many others, has had a good season. But he wants, just like all the others, to make it a great season and, therefore, we still have to play many games.”
Slot also confirmed he will rotate his side for the trip to Plymouth with a daunting run of five Premier League games in 15 days to come, starting with the Merseyside derby at Everton on Feb 12.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will again miss out through injury but could return in time for the clash at Goodison Park, while some fringe players are expected to feature against Plymouth.
“It is always a tricky tie, no matter what team you play, because it is an away game and it is probably their ‘final’, as is often the case when Liverpool goes anywhere,” Slot said.
“I think it is important in these moments for players that don’t get much playing time to have that playing time, so that if we ever need them then they are ready.
“If you never play them, it is so difficult for them to be ready if we do get some injuries or suspensions. We will definitely use some players that haven’t played so much.”
Plymouth manager Miron Muslic, meanwhile, is relishing the clash and insisted “the underdog always has a chance”.
The 42-year-old Austrian replaced Wayne Rooney as head coach in January and, despite his team sitting bottom of the Championship, he hopes to find success in the FA Cup.
“A beautiful challenge is in front of us,” he said on the BBC. “A day to enjoy for us as Argyle, as a club and organisation and a day to enjoy for the Green Army and the fans.
“The best team in the world is coming, so it is a day we are looking forward to and want to enjoy.
“I can understand the city is going crazy, the fans are going crazy and they are very much looking forward. I also understand how the players are looking forward to face a world-class opponent.” REUTERS, AFP
