Arne Slot embraces the challenge of facing Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16, recognizing the quality and pedigree of their opponents. Liverpool will first travel to Parc des Princes before hosting the French champions at Anfield in what promises to be a thrilling two-legged battle. Slot and his players understand that advancing in the competition means overcoming top-tier opposition, and PSG’s impressive form highlights the scale of the task ahead.
Slot acknowledged the difficulty of the fixture but remains confident in his team’s ability. “At this stage of the competition, the quality of opponent is only going to be of a very high standard, and in PSG, we have drawn a team and a club with real European pedigree,” he said. He highlighted their dominant performances in the group stage, pointing to victories over Stuttgart, Manchester City, Girona, and Salzburg as evidence of their strength. Their recent emphatic win against Brest further reinforced their credentials.
Liverpool, like PSG, sit at the top of their domestic league and boast a long unbeaten run. Slot believes this reflects the level of competition they will face but insists his squad deserves its place in the knockout rounds. “This tells us all that we need to know about the challenge that we will face, but it is also a challenge that we will look forward to, knowing that we also fully deserve to be in the last 16.”
While anticipation builds for the Champions League clash, Slot remains focused on immediate domestic commitments. “Of course, our immediate focus is on our upcoming Premier League fixtures, starting with Manchester City on Sunday, but we will be doing everything we can to ensure that we are in the best possible shape when the Champions League resumes.”
