Arne Slot provided a preview of Liverpool’s upcoming Champions League match against AC Milan during a press conference on Monday evening.

Arne Slot gave an overview of Liverpool’s forthcoming Champions League fixture against AC Milan during a press conference on Monday evening.

The Reds’ head coach addressed reporters at San Siro following the team’s arrival in Italy, ahead of their 8pm BST match against the Serie A club on Tuesday night.

Regarding his first Liverpool Champions League game on his birthday, Slot humorously remarked that the occasion would be less noteworthy, highlighting the significance of the match due to the teams’ histories and the legendary venue.

On Dominik Szoboszlai nearing his 50th appearance for Liverpool, Slot underscored Szoboszlai’s value to the team, particularly his pressing ability.

However, Slot expressed a wish for Szoboszlai to contribute more in terms of goals and assists, noting his potential for improvement within a high-quality squad.

When asked about AC Milan’s threat, Slot stated that while no team is “scared,” there is considerable respect for Milan’s players, such as Tijjani Reijnders, who are in excellent form.

He stressed that Liverpool respects Milan’s quality without using fear as a motivational factor.

Reflecting on their recent loss to Nottingham Forest, Slot acknowledged both his and the team’s frustration but noted that every game is unique, with Milan presenting a different challenge compared to Forest.

Slot also commented on the new Champions League format, suggesting it’s too early to determine the number of points needed for qualification.

He welcomed the increased number of thrilling matches but conceded that only time will tell how the format affects players.

Regarding the weekend’s defeat, Slot rejected the notion that rotation was the main issue, attributing the loss to the opponent’s style and his players’ below-par performance.

He acknowledged that rotation might be necessary in the future, particularly with players returning from international duties, but minimized it as a sole factor in the defeat.

Finally, Slot addressed concerns about Milan’s Rafael Leao, recognizing him as a top player and emphasizing that it would require a collective effort to neutralize his threat.

On Alexis Mac Allister, he confirmed the player’s significance and mentioned that he would decide on the number of minutes Mac Allister would play against Milan.