Liverpool manager Arne Slot has explained the reasoning behind leaving key players at home ahead of his side’s final UEFA Champions League (league phase) game against PSV. Liverpool have won all seven games so far and are guaranteed a top two finish regardless of the result.
Liverpool travelled to the Netherlands without several first-team players such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Alisson amongst others.
When asked about the plans for the players Slot informed the press they would not have to train saying:
“They will be off tomorrow, if it’s possible we always prefer to have them off three days before the game, that’s not always possible if you play so many games but they will train on Thursday.”
“So there will go a few staff members back home earlier Thursday morning to train with the ones that stay behind on Thursday but they’re off tomorrow”
When questioned about the decision to leave key players behind Slot defended his decision but explained he expected less of these players:
“I want to win, I’m dealing with my team but I’m looking into the long term of this process of the group and I think that the group that we bring on the pitch tomorrow is great but it would be strange if tomorrow the group has the same level as we would have in other games”
Liverpool return to Premier League action on Saturday against surprise package Bournemouth.
