Liverpool manager Arne Slot is looking forward to the action this week which will see his team face Real Madrid and Manchester City in succession.
First is Real Madrid, who they face in Wednesday’s round of games in the UEFA Champions League. The Reds are hosting the 15-time Champions League winners for a chance to solidify their place in the next round as league leaders.
The Dutchman said, “Results have been really good – and results are always done by the players. If they have very good results then that is always good for the manager and for the press officer and for everyone who works at the club.
“We also know how much effort we have to put in to win these games and that’s why we always have to give credit to the players that put this effort in to get these results.
“As a result of that, the players are popular – like you just heard, because Mo is quite popular over here – and maybe the manager that is part of those results as well.”
Then he addressed the comments made by Salah on his contract situation with the club and if it could cause any distractions for the team.
“People told me about this, but I have said many times we don’t share this over here – at least I don’t share this over here. The only thing I can say is if you look at my line-ups, Mo is more in than out, so that quote I can give you.
“We want his numbers to be at where they are at the moment because those are the numbers Mo always has had and still has, so that’s the positive thing. I don’t think he is distracted at all, I haven’t seen that.
“They [the players] always give each other a bit of stick, so maybe they did this now as well, but players are also all focused on the short term and that’s Madrid and that’s [Manchester] City.
But the time Mo’s contract is ending, players don’t look at it that way. We as a club do, but the players don’t. So I don’t think there is any distraction at all for him, for the players and definitely not for me.”
Then he spoke about the upcoming games against Madrid and City, expressing excitement, enthusiasm and optimism over his team’s chances.
“It is a big game. I think Real Madrid, Manchester City dominated Europe – and the leagues – for a few years now, combined with Liverpool because Liverpool were always up there as well competing with these two clubs.
“It’s a special week for us, especially because we play two times at home, but when this week is done then again a big week is coming up with Newcastle away and the Merseyside derby. If you are Liverpool you always play big games, but these two are special because these three clubs have dominated the league in Europe for so many years recently, so it’s a special week to play.”
