Slot insists ‘these players are ready’ as Reds take on PSV

Liverpool FC’s head coach Arne Slot has no doubt that the club’s younger players can step up against PSV Eindhoven in Wednesday night’s final UEFA Champions League ‘league phase’ clash in the Netherlands.

Liverpool FC bring their 100 per cent record in this year’s UEFA Champions League to the Netherlands on Wednesday evening, and a final league phase clash against Eredivisie leaders PSV Eindhoven.

The Reds are guaranteed to finish either first or second in the 36-team standings, having won all of their seven games so far, with Arne Slot using the occasion to leave some of his more established players back on Merseyside for a much needed rest.

However, the former Feyenoord boss has full confidence in the squad that he has brought back to the country of his birth, and insists that the club’s youngsters - as well as a select group of more regular starters - can make it a clean sweep, heading into the knockout stages.

“[The younger players] don’t need to prove themselves, we know what the quality is for the players that are going to play tomorrow,” Slot insisted.

“We are playing, like all the teams in Europe, many, many, many games and these players are ready.”

Slot and co. go to Eindhoven without the likes of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Dominik Szoboszlai, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté, Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Alisson, who have been given a day off.

“All the ones that are left behind could have played tomorrow but for the long term - so, it doesn’t tell you anything about the short term, doesn’t tell us anything about Saturday’s game [against AFC Bournemouth] - but for the long term, if you look back at our season, it has been almost every time after three or four or five weeks we gave them the break during the week when there was a League Cup or an FA Cup [game], if there was a moment for them to get some freshness back we have always done that.”

Slot pinpointed another reason why those who have received less game time recently will be given a chance tonight: match sharpness.

“The second thing is that because we mainly start with 13 or 14 players that have shared most of the playing time, the ones that haven’t played a lot it’s very useful for them to have 90 minutes,” he added.

“Because if we do get into injury problems, these players will have a bit of game rhythm then as well. So, it’s a choice that we’ve made for the long term. It doesn’t tell you anything about the results in the short term but definitely it helps us for the long term.”

One senior player who will hope to start on Wednesday night is Cody Gakpo.

The Reds attacker, who has been in sensational form of late, returns to the club where he scored 55 goals in 159 appearances, before joining Liverpool FC in January 2023.

"It's a beautiful moment, a special moment for me, of course. I'm looking forward to being on the pitch tomorrow,” explained the 25-year-old, who counts goals against Bayer Leverkusen and Real Madrid among the 14 he has scored in all competitions this season so far.

"[It will be] pretty strange. I think I've never been in the away dressing room, so it will be the first time and on the other side of the walkout. So, different than I was used to.

"But when the game will start I think all those things will fade away and we all will be focused on the game.

"With the team we have, we are here and we are going for the win. Hopefully it will be a good game."

Gakpo says he was given the option of remaining in Liverpool for the match, but couldn’t turn down the chance to play in front of the PSV fans who supported him so well as a youngster.

"I got the question from the manager [about staying at home] as well but I didn't play one minute against Lille last week [and] also from the manager's point of view [he knew] that I would probably like to come over here and get some minutes here. So, that's why I'm here."

Meanwhile, Wataru Endo has spoken about life at LFC under Slot.

The Japanese star’s adaptability in both defence and midfield has been key for the side in the chase for four major trophies, even with minutes on the pitch at a premium for the club’s No.3.

Helping others to play well is the name of the game for the 31-year-old.

"I think defensively it's about getting the ball back and trying to have good organisation in midfield," Endo said. "I think that's my style.

"I would always try to maximise our team. I always try to help my teammates play well. I think that's also my strong point.

"If I play in the number six [role], I need to do the dirty job, of course! I need to have a good connection with defenders, but also help my teammates."

He continued: "If we want to be top players, you have to be both defensive and offensive as well. Of course, I need to defend well at least, but I always try to make a difference. I try to play very simple; I don't feel like I can be more creative, but I try to play simple and play forward and try to change sides."

Finally, Reds skipper van Dijk has been talking about the stellar form of his compatriot and team-mate Gravenberch.

The former Ajax and Bayern Munich midfielder had a stop-start first year at Anfield in Jürgen Klopp’s final season, but has arguably been the Premier League’s best holding midfielder – with plenty of attacking thrust thrown in for good measure – as the Reds have opened up a six-point lead at the top of the table, with a game in hand. 

“Last year he didn’t play as much but we all saw his quality and it was key to keep his head down and work his socks off,” van Dijk said.

“This year he has got the trust and the confidence. He can show his quality week in, week out and every few days. I am very impressed with him. Not only on the pitch but outside the pitch as well.

“He is still a young boy but he is growing into a man. The way you approach the game on and off the pitch is very key to be a world-class player.

“The consistency he is showing, he is a world-class player and he can only get better as well. He learns from difficult moments in games. He has been almost flawless this season. I am proud of him. He is vital for us.”