Liverpool’s head coach, Arne Slot, was overjoyed to have advanced for the Champions League’s last 16, but he confessed the 6-0 hammering of Qarabag was unlikely to quiet the speculation about their domestic status.
Midfielder Alexis MacAllister scored twice, as did Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah (his first for the club since November 1), and Federico Chiesa in a rout at Anfield that saw them finish third in the table and avoid the play-off round.
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But Slot knows if they cannot convert that form to Saturday night’s visit to Newcastle, the criticism will not ease.”It is what you want when you start the Champions League season; you want to finish in the top eight because it allows you to skip a round, so we’re thrilled to be going directly to the last 16,” he said.
“There was an obvious improvement (from the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth) but with all respect for the team we faced tonight I expect Newcastle to be a stronger side than Qarabag.”If we can improve in both areas, it will be extremely difficult for any team to play against us; nevertheless, displaying this once is insufficient; we must demonstrate this on a consistent basis from now on.
Referring to Jeremie Frimpong’s early injury, Slot added: “Today has proved again that things might be more tricky than people imagine. “Jeremie is an excellent example.”
Slot was already down to one recognised center-back and only three senior players on the bench, so he had to deploy central midfielder Wataru Endo at full-back for the duration of the game.
Despite having a decreasing team by the game, Slot believes there will be no late movement in the transfer window.
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