In full'No easing up' - Arne Slot's programme notes for UCL clash with Bologna

The Reds return to European action aiming to make it two wins in a row in the competition, having overcome AC Milan at San Siro last time out in their opening match.

The head coach writes: "Of course I have heard a lot about European nights at Anfield and this is my first opportunity to experience one as Liverpool head coach, so it is something that I am very much looking forward to.

"We already have three points on the board thanks to our victory in Milan a couple of weeks ago, so now we have the opportunity to build on the positive start we have made and this time the chance comes in front of our own supporters. We should do everything we can to make the most of it.

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"When I joined Liverpool I knew all about the club's history in Europe – the great moments, the great games, the success and so on – but I am also aware that everything that has been achieved has come through hard work, desire and ability. Nothing has ever been given to Liverpool. It has always been earned.

"It will be exactly the same tonight and in the weeks and months to come. The new Champions League structure is still settling and it will only be in time that we fully understand the differences it will make, but one thing we know for sure already is that we will have to win as many games as possible against teams who have the very same objective.

"Bologna clearly fall into this category. They have had a remarkable couple of years in Serie A during a period in which they established themselves as one of Europe's most exciting up-and-coming clubs. Their recent story is a really interesting one so I would like to welcome Vincenzo Italiano, his staff and players to Anfield with warmth and respect in the knowledge that Bologna will be a tough test.

"Although this will be our penultimate game before the international break, the combination of the situation we are in and the schedule we are facing means there can and will be no easing up. This is our second of three matches inside one week and the challenges are continuing to come to us so we need to be ready for them.

"I have said from the start of the season that these are the kind of periods when we will find out a lot about where we are at. Playing Saturday-Wednesday-Saturday in two competitions is always a big challenge in so many ways. It tests our squad, our preparation, our recovery, our ability to cope with different pressures and so many other things besides.

"This isn't to say we haven't already learned a lot about ourselves from the games when we played only once a week, but it definitely makes sense that you learn more during spells like this. Part of this process involves always being realistic so that we recognise exactly where we are in our development as a team.

"The results at the weekend mean we are currently on top of the Premier League and this is something that the players should be pleased with of course. But at the same time we know that the fixtures we have had at the start of the season have not been as hard as they have been for other teams.

"This isn't about dampening excitement, because we always want our supporters to believe in what we are doing and the possibilities it might bring. It is about being realistic and understanding our own progress because by doing this we can keep on obtaining the information that we need to keep on improving.

"If we can keep on being serious in our approach in this way it can only help us, especially as this is our first season back in the Champions League after missing out last time around. Staying humble, keeping our feet on the ground and knowing there is a lot of hard work and improvement still required is not just the right way for us, it is the only way.

"Hopefully tonight we can take another step in the right direction."

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