News'Another strong performance required' – read Arne Slot's Lille programme notes
Read Arne Slot’s programme notes in full, ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League meeting with Lille tonight.
The head coach writes: “A lot has been said about what we have done in the competition up to now, but while a lot of the compliments have been deserved, we are well aware that there is still work to be done if we are to reach the knockout stage.
“There are various possibilities over the last two rounds of fixtures that would allow us to achieve this objective, but the most important one involves what we do. As things stand, we are masters of our own destiny, so we should make the most of this by doing everything possible to get the result that we need to guarantee progress.
“For this to happen, another strong performance will be required. Lille have already shown their quality in the Champions League this season and have their own objectives for qualification, having recorded victories against Sturm Graz, Bologna, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid.
“Those two wins against the big Madrid clubs tell us everything we need to know about what Lille are capable of. Clearly, they are very strong opponents who are more than worthy of our respect and it is on this basis that I would like to welcome Bruno Genesio, his staff, players and supporters of Lille to Anfield.
“No doubt they will be looking for a special night, so we must do everything that we can to stop this from happening. Of course, our best chance of doing this rests on maintaining - and wherever possible, improving - our recent performance levels, which have been really good even though we have not always secured the results that we have deserved.
“This did not apply on Saturday of course. Against Brentford we were clearly the better side, dominating almost all of the game, and even though we had to wait until the very end to secure the points, no-one who was present could claim we were not deserved winners.
“At the same time, it is also true that we came close to dropping points and because we always challenge ourselves to improve we have to recognise that this was not a position that we needed to find ourselves in. From the possession we had, situations we generated and chances we created, the outcome should have been clear long before Darwin Nunez’s late goals.
“This is an area in which we will look to be better. Winning games is never easy, especially in the Premier League or the Champions League where the standard is so, so high, but taking opportunities when they come can make it a little bit easier to win.
“At the same time, even though the recent period has been one where it has been more difficult for us to convert chances into goals, our performance levels have been very consistent, and we are definitely looking for this to continue. It is hard to think of a game so far where we have stolen the points.
“Maybe Chelsea in the Premier League was one where we got more than we deserved, but even then the outcome was not unfair. In the majority of fixtures, we have secured victories because we have earned them. Again, we are looking to maintain this as it is the best route towards continuing the season in a way that we would like.
“This will not be easy, though, especially as the challenges are only going to get bigger, and this makes it even more important that we take nothing for granted and keep on working and building together.”
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