Slot After Victory Over Lille: Liverpool Is Not the Best Team in the World


Arne Slot, the head coach of Liverpool, spoke about their victory in yesterday's match against Lille in the 2024/25 UEFA Champions League.



The match took place at Anfield in the seventh round of the group stage of the Champions League, where Liverpool won 2-1.


Liverpool strengthened their top spot in the Champions League table with a perfect 21 points, having already secured their qualification to the Round of 16 since the previous round.


Slot said in comments published by the BBC: "We are happy to be in the top eight, but the league table doesn't tell you anything. Maybe being number 24 is better than 16, but 16 had an easy draw. We want to be at the top, but we have to wait and see if that's an advantage."


He added: "As a coach, I appreciate this victory more than the fans or those watching on TV. I knew they were unbeaten in 21 matches, but they had beaten Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid, and did so without the best players in the world. I have great respect for them. I wasn't happy with conceding a goal from just one chance for the opponent."


He continued: "The advantage of coaching Liverpool is that you have more than 11 good players. You know how tough the competition is in the Premier League. It's up to the players to be ready when they get a chance. Elliott was lucky with his goal, but his performance was good."


When asked if Liverpool could be considered the best team in the world, he replied: "No, I think we have a lot of quality and the players are working really hard. If Thomas Frank said that (the Brentford coach after last Saturday's match), it means something. He's been in the Premier League for a long time and doesn't have many resources. If he gives compliments like that, it's good. I can also suggest five or six other very good teams."


He clarified: "Every time we win, it's by a narrow margin. We have hard work to do to win. I think we can improve. When Pep Guardiola's team wins, he says they can improve. Perfection is impossible. We try every day. Maybe we won’t get 10 out of 10."


He confirmed: "The Manchester City match was the best one we've played so far (Liverpool won 2-0)."


Regarding winter transfer signings, he joked: "You can always try. Maybe you could ask Mo, or Virgil, or Trent!" referring to the repeated questions about the future of the trio Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold.


Slot also revealed concerning news about Curtis Jones, stating that he suffered a knock that left him unable to continue playing and had to be substituted at halftime.


He explained: "There was a moment in the game where he felt something, and he said he wanted to play for another five minutes and then see how it would be. But then he said he needed to come off."