Liverpool head coach Arne Slot speaks after the UEFA Champions League clash with Real Madrid at Anfield
Arne Slot has played down suggestions that Liverpool sent out a statement by comfortably beating Real Madrid, insisting the Reds are dreaming bigger than just Champions League league-stage victories. Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Cody Gakpo clinched a 2-0 win at Anfield on Wednesday night.
The victory saw Liverpool record their first victory over the La Liga giants in 15 years, ending an eight-match winless run.
And while Slot was pleased with his side’s performance, against a team he acknowledged had recently been a ‘pain in the ass’ for the Reds, he pointed out it would mean more if Liverpool progress far into the knockout stages.
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“I liked a lot what I saw but of course not everything,” he said after the game. “I think we controlled the first half, with creating a few chances, but I also thought we were still a bit sloppy.
“So we lost the ball in easy situations or we forced it too much. So I said ‘Try to be even more patient. Let the gaps open up instead of forcing them.’
“And yeah, then it helps if the first seven minutes after half time we had total dominance. I don’t think they even came across our halfway line. Then score a goal like this, then we were flying.
“I think it is always good to win a game, and especially a big game like this because you know you face so many quality players.
“For me it would even mean more if we go into the later stages of the tournament because this is such a strange and different set up in the Champions League that it is difficult to judge how important these wins are.
“If we arrive in the last 16 or quarter-finals and face them again, then we are able to beat them, that would be a bigger statement than this. But we are definitely happy with the win.”
“He continued: “I don’t think we transformed that much, we adjusted a bit. The ones that are here for a long time are almost used to playing a final.
“This team has always been up there with all the great teams in Europe. This team has always been there. Maybe last two years have been different than all these years before but it was only maybe a few adjustments.
“But we are only five games in in a new format. We are happy where we are but we are not getting carried away by winning a group stage game. This club wants more than only winning group-stage games.”
Meanwhile, he said on TNT Sports: “I wouldn’t say it is the same as any other one because we know how special it is to play against a club that won this Champions League so many times.
“They are the reigning champions as well, dominated Europe for the last few years and were a pain in the ass for Liverpool many times as well.
“So we knew it was a big week. Not only the result, but also the way we played – it’s pleasing to see.”
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