Liverpool boss Slot ‘not scared’ of Milan but adds: “We respect all their players”

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has insisted that he and his team are not ‘scared’ of AC Milan, but they have a lot of respect for what they expect to be a challenging opponent.

Slot has big shoes to fill given that he has taken over from Jurgen Klopp who was in charge at Liverpool for nine years, and things started brilliantly for him with nine points out of nine, including a 3-0 win at Old Trafford against rivals Manchester United.

However, there was a shock on Saturday afternoon when the Reds lost 1-0 at home to Nottingham Forest, which was their first win at Anfield since 1969. Despite the result, there is no doubting that Liverpool are very dangerous on their day and they will renew hostilities with Milan.

Slot spoke from the press conference room at San Siro on the eve of the game to give his thoughts ahead of the game, with his comments relayed by MilanNews.

Tomorrow is your birthday, and you get to celebrate it with a big fixture…

“I think it is the first time my birthday is not important for tomorrow, it’s a big game for me and because of the history these two teams have, the venue, it’s one to look forward to.”

If he plays, it will be Liverpool appearance number 50 for Szoboszlai at Liverpool…

“I think all of the squad players have an important role, every player feels ore important when they play. Everyone has their role and they will all play. He has been important for us and his pressing has been outstanding.

“Something we have to work on is making him even more involved in scoring goals. He scored three last season but for an attacking midfielder at Liverpool, his numbers need to go up. I am confident with the quality he has and the players around him he will score more goals as well.”

Do you have any fears about Milan?

“I don’t think any manager is scared to play the other team but we have a lot of respect for AC Milan. They have quality, we’re not scared but we respect all their players. They have shown they are in good form with a very good 4-0 win. Scared is not the word we would use. We respect a lot.”

You come into the game after a disappointing result on Saturday…

“It’s not only the journalists who were disappointed against Forest, the team and the players were too! The Man Utd result, the journalists were positive so we keep things in perspective but it was a total different game v Forest, it’s the same for tomorrow, I expect a different game.

“We should be disappointed when we lose at home and if you are not when you do that for Nottingham Forest then something is wrong at Liverpool.”

What do you think about the new Champions League format?

“A lot of questions in one! Difficult to say how many points are needed, first time we’ve played it. We went through with Feyenoord with six points one time. It’s clear if you want to be in the first 8 you need to win a lot for the points.

“The format you can ask me better in the end. As someone who loves football, every night there is a nice fixture. For example, tomorrow, everyone who loves football is looking forward to our game.

“It is positive for the person at home, for the players, that is something we have to find out. We don’t have the answer at the moment. Ask in a few months and I will know better.”

Will there be a need to rotate this season, to manage minutes?

“If rotation is why we don’t win then the first game I lost in 2024 wouldn’t be last Saturday. Everyone can have their own opinion but it is too simple to put it down to rotation, but too many players not at their best level.

“Forest made it difficult for us and when you don’t win you look at asmany arguments as you can. I prefer to see the game back and what we didn’t do well and some of it was not related to rotation. We will never know if we would have won if rotated.

“Someone asked me about how many players started for national teams, now I can do something about rotation as they are all with me but before that they were with their national teams. We try to prepare them for that, we didn’t lose because of rotation, too many players didn’t do what they can.”

Federico Chiesa has been named in the squad…

“Why we brought him… I bring in quality players and I believe he is. Combines quality with work rate and the culture of this club, this team, he brings that with combinations of several positions. He is with the team and since I said it is the first time he is here, it would be a big surprise if he starts tomorrow.

“So I don’t think you should expect him to start but he will make some minutes if we needed him. But the first time with us, I don’t expect him to start with us. He’s had some training time and too early to play 90 mins but hopefully some minutes in the upcoming fixtures.”

Is Rafael Leao a special player you need to keep an extra eye on?

“You asked me if he is special? A lot of talk about him and I think he is a top player but people always talk about the top players and not those underneath. We have studied his quality and he is one who catches your eye.

“How to stop him at his best, we defend as a team to stop the quality of Rafa Leao. They have quality players and he is one of their top players in my opinion.”

Alexis Mac Allister came off against Forest, are you managing his minutes?

“I only have important players, so all 23 are important to the club, I took Mac Allister off around 60 mins v Forest, that had a lot to do with Argentina and injuries, not playing, so that had a bit to do with rotation. I think he can play 60 or 90 minutes tomorrow, I will decide. He is an important player for us.