Press conference'We have to show it' - Alexis Mac Allister on Galatasaray clash, UCL ambitions and more
The Reds resume this season’s European campaign in Istanbul, facing the Turkish outfit in the first leg of their last-16 tie on Tuesday.
Upon arrival on Monday, midfielder Mac Allister spoke to the media alongside head coach Arne Slot to preview the 5.45pm GMT kick-off.
Read everything the No.10 said at the pre-match press conference below…
On if there is a midfield player of Galatasaray he expects ‘the most challenge with’ in the game…
Well, if I have to choose one, I think [Lucas] Torreira, just because he is Uruguayan and we all know how we play in South America! He is a really tough guy, a really good player on the ball as well, so I expect a lot of good duels against him.
On Dominik Szoboszlai playing at right-back and midfield this season…
I don’t think it is important what I think his best position is, I think it’s important that he plays in a position that he feels comfortable in. And he showed that he can play both positions. He is a really good player, I love playing alongside him. Of course, when he’s closer a little bit more! But I think he is in a really good level and he’s a really important player for the team.
On how much of a dream it is for him to win the Champions League, having already lifted the World Cup and Premier League…
Yeah, it’s definitely my dream right now. Of course, it’s a World Cup year and why not to win it twice? But the Champions League is one of the most important goals this season. I think we have a team that can reach that, that can win it, but we need to show it on the pitch and I’m pretty sure the game tomorrow is going to be a tough one.
On Mohamed Salah…
It’s been a tricky, challenging season for all of us. It is up to us to find the right things for him. It’s definitely our responsibility to get the best out of him. We have done it last season. This season we are struggling a little bit more. But I think he has said it a couple of times: he is still learning how to play with the new players.
We are all adapting to each other and that’s the situation we are in. We are dealing with that and he knows very well what he has to do to improve his numbers. He’s a fantastic player, I don’t need to say it, and I’m pretty sure he is going to keep showing what he can do.
On Ryan Gravenberch signing a new contract with the club last week and his own future…
First of all, I want to congratulate Ryan. I think it is really good for him and he deserves it because he has been a really important player for us in a season that we won the Premier League, which is not easy at all. So, congratulations to him. In terms of me, we are not in contract talks but I’m not in a rush – that’s only a fact.