Liverpool manager Arne Slot is rallying his squad and the Anfield faithful, urging them to treat their next three fixtures as cup finals, starting with Southampton on Saturday.
With the Reds in pole position for the Premier League title, holding a 1-0 first-leg advantage over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last-16, and gearing up for a League Cup final against Newcastle, the Dutchman is determined to keep focus sharp.
No Room for Complacency
Despite being overwhelming favorites against basement-dwelling Southampton, Slot is wary of any slip-ups.
“Our full focus, my full focus, is on Southampton,” Slot emphasized. “This is the first of three finals in the coming week.”
While fans might have their eyes on the PSG showdown and the Wembley final, Slot wants Anfield rocking on Saturday.
“I truly hope our fans will be at their loudest—not just in the final, not just against PSG, but tomorrow,” he urged. “I need to convince my players and our supporters that we are playing three finals. I hope the stadium is packed well before kickoff to show these players the appreciation they deserve for their hard work in Paris.”
‘You Make Your Own Luck’
Slot acknowledged Liverpool were fortunate to leave Paris with a win, with goalkeeper Alisson Becker producing a stellar performance. But he dismissed the notion of pure luck, citing legendary basketball icon Michael Jordan’s philosophy.
“The harder you work, the more luck you have,” he said. “That’s the biggest compliment to our players. Even when we weren’t dominant in possession, we controlled the game better in the second half.”
Grinding Out Results is Key to Silverware
Slot, in his first season at Anfield, understands that title-winning teams don’t always play perfect football.
“If you want to win the Premier League, the League Cup, the Champions League, or the FA Cup, you need to battle through tough games,” he said. “Even the best teams don’t always play perfect football every match—just look at Real Madrid.”
As Liverpool enter a defining week, Slot’s message is clear: every game is a final, and every moment counts.
