Arne Slot reveals big Champions League change he would make after Liverpool issue

Arne Slot has been speaking about the Champions League format ahead of Liverpool’s clash against Atletico Madrid at Anfield

Arne Slot has revealed the change he would make to the Champions League format after seeing his side beaten by Paris St Germain in the round of 16 last season. The Reds begin their quest to win a seventh European Cup when they face Atletico Madrid at Anfield tomorrow night.

Liverpool, who have won all four of their opening Premier League matches so far this campaign, exited last season’s competition in the last-16 against eventual winners PSG. The Reds were drawn against the Ligue 1 giants despite the fact they finished top of the new group stage format.

And asked what he learnt from that experience, Slot admitted: “It is not a smart thing to judge something on one event because then it is of no interest if you end up number one, seven or eight because we had a very difficult draw.

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“What I don’t like about this format is everywhere [else] you have a league table and play-offs, you have a league table after everyone playing the same teams, so if you end up number one, then probably the number eight is weaker than the number five.

“This league table doesn’t give the real opinion about who is good and who isn’t so it can happen like last season, where the number 11, Real Madrid, played the number 22, Man City.

“If you ask me this question immediately after we lost to Paris St Germain, I would say, ‘Forget about the first eight games,’ but now I use my brains more and I tell you, ‘Don’t judge a new format on the first time, judge it after three or four times and let’s see.'”

Reflecting on the loss to PSG, Slot added: “We were so close. Luis Enrique said the team that wins that game would win the competition and he was right.

“We were the only team that took them to penalties. If you have to go out, then you want to go out to the team that goes on to win it. Liverpool will always be able to compete in the Champions League.”

Atletico have only won one of their opening four La Liga games so far this season, but Slot knows that side are in for a tough night at Anfield.

“When I was at Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, we knew when you went from a Sunday to a Wednesday, you had to make two steps up unless you played Ajax or PSV on the weekend,” he said.

“But in the Premier League, it is the same quality or a little step up, so again, a very difficult one because Atletico Madrid have done so well in La Liga.

“So many years with Diego Simeone and even able to win the league twice when you face Real Madrid and Barcelona. Again, a team that is a difficult one to play against because of their mentality, team performance and quality.”

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