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Arne Slot Questions Advantage of Top Spot in Champions League Group

Posted : 22 January 2025

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is cautious about the potential benefits of finishing at the top of the inaugural Champions League league phase standings, despite leading his team to the last 16 with a 2-1 victory over Lille. The win ensured Liverpool's perfect record of seven wins from seven games in the new competition format, guaranteeing them a spot in the top two. However, Slot remains unconvinced that finishing first in the group will offer a tangible advantage, as they are set to face a team from the 15th to 18th position in the knockout round.

 

Slot pointed out that the current standings do not necessarily reflect the true strength of the teams involved. He explained that, unlike in tennis where higher-ranked players face lower-ranked opponents, the Champions League's varied group draws mean that the teams finishing in different positions may have faced very different levels of competition. In his view, a team finishing in 24th place could be stronger than one in 16th place simply because of their draw, which makes the final table less telling in terms of potential matchups.

 

Liverpool’s performance against Lille was far from flawless. Despite the French side playing with 10 men, Liverpool needed a deflected strike from Harvey Elliott to secure the win and maintain their perfect record. While the Reds dominated possession, the match showed they were not operating at their highest level. Nevertheless, the victory ended Lille’s impressive 21-match unbeaten run, which included notable victories over teams like Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid.

 

Slot expressed his admiration for Lille’s resilience and organization, noting that their impressive run was achieved without a roster of world-class players. He acknowledged the challenges posed by Lille's well-structured and hardworking team, which made the match far from easy despite public perception. For Slot, the result was more significant than the overall performance, as it demonstrated the team's ability to secure a crucial victory under pressure.

 

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