‘Show up Every Time in Terms of Quality and Work-rate’: Arne Slot’s Rally Call to Liverpool Heading into Packed Calendar

Liverpool boss Arne Slot will have to ready himself and his side up for a marathon couple of weeks as the Reds play as many as seven games in the upcoming three weeks ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash against Italian giants AC Milan.

Slot has stuck with a set starting lineup during his nascent tenure, in the same ilk as he did during his successful stints at Cambuur, AZ Alkmaar and Feyenoord. However, the Dutchman needs to adapt to the break-neck pace of the Premiership.

Slot who preferred to stick with a set lineup during his time in the Netherlands, while devoid of resources and depth as he has at his disposal at the Merseyside club, might have to gravitate towards a system of rotation citing the fixture congestion.

“My former teams we were able to actually play almost every game with the same players but it is a different league so I might have to adjust to that, but it also depends on what they show in terms of physique,” Slot began.

“In the first three games we were really strong in terms of physique but we only played one game every seven days. Now they have a point to prove,” he added.

“I assume they all want to play every game, so if they want to they have to show up every time in terms of quality and especially work-rate,” the 45-year-old added.

“We have more than 11 very good players so I can use more,” the Dutchman continued.

ALSO READ| ISL 2024-25: Mumbai City Hold Mohun Bagan Super Giant 2-2 in Season Opener

Slot, however, was handed an injury blow as Harvey Elliott suffered a fractured foot while on English U21 duty recently, but opted to look at it as a chance for someone else to step up.

“If he had stayed fit he would have had a lot of playing time in the upcoming fixtures, but now it gives a chance to someone else,” Slot said.

“It’s first and foremost a blow for himself but for also for us,” he added.

GET ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE ISL 2024-25 SEASON HERE

Liverpool backup keeper Caoimhin Kelleher has also hinted at a move away from the club citing more playtime, after having been Allison Becker’s understudy at the English club.

Slot reflected on the shot-stopper’s comments stating that it demonstrated the Irishman’s desire to start games.

“I would be really worried if a player came out and said, ‘I don’t care about playing first-team football, I like it so much on the bench and want to stay there for the rest of my life’.

“But at this moment it is quite clear that Alisson is the number one. He is handling the situation really well,” Slot concluded.