Arne Slot Urges Liverpool to Transfer Champions League Performance to the English League

LIVERPOOL - Liverpool manager Arne Slot is delighted to have qualified for the 2025/2026 Champions League round of 16, but he admits that a 6-0 thrashing of Qarabag will likely not ease the spotlight on their domestic form.

Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister scored twice and there were goals from Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Mohamed Salah - his first goal for the club since November 1, 2025 - and Federico Chiesa in a big win at Anfield that saw them secure third place in the Champions League standings while avoiding the playoffs.

However, Arne Slot knows that if they can't transfer that performance to the English League match against Newcastle United on Sunday, February 1, 2026, early morning WIB, the spotlight won't let up.

"That's what you want if you're starting the Champions League season. You want to finish in the top eight because it helps because you go through one round."

"So, we're happy that we've directly qualified for the last 16. There's been a clear improvement (from the 2-3 defeat at home to Bournemouth)."

"However, with all due respect to the team we are facing, I expect Newcastle Unite to be a stronger team than Qarabag."

"If we can improve our performance in both penalty boxes, it will be very difficult for any team to play against us. It's just that showing it once is not enough, we have to show it consistently from now on," said Arne Slot.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are back with injuries. In the match against Qarabag, Jeremie Frimpong had to leave early in the match.

Arne Slot already only has one recognized central defender and only three senior players on the bench. He had to put midfielder Wataru Endo as a wing back for the rest of the game.

Despite having a squad that is shrinking with each match, Arne Slot does not think there will be any movement in the final minutes of the transfer window.

"Once again showing that sometimes things are a little more complicated than people think. Jeremie is a good example."

"As a club, we always make decisions, at least we think they are smart decisions. So, we don't only look at the short term, but also the long term."

"That's why we're recruiting very good players, but still young who can still develop. It always depends on whether there are players available who we think can help us."

"If there is, are we able to buy it and can they also help for the long-term future because our players will also come back from injury."

"What we don't want is to have a squad with four right-backs, 12 midfielders, and three or four centre forwards."

"It's not the way it works here. So we have to do smart things for the near future, also for the longer future."

"Let's see how Jeremie is, maybe he can't play this weekend, but maybe he can play one or two days later."

"Now we are entering a schedule with one match a week so it will usually reduce injuries, but we are never sure," said the Dutch coach.