Liverpool coach Arne Slot has expressed his disapproval of the new Champions League format, stating that finishing first or second in the group stage is irrelevant. He argues that the top teams will face weaker opponents in the round of 16 regardless of their group position, rendering the group stage results less impactful.
The new Champions League format has come under fire once more, this time from Liverpool coach Arne Slot . Photo: Paul Ellis/AFPAll the teams that qualified for this season’s competition were pitted in one massive group, and the top 24 advance to the next phase of the Champions League after eight games.table toppers, meanwhile, top the table and even a defeat in their final group match will mean little as the top eight advance straight to the round of 16.
Since their final group game against PSV away on Wednesday evening will matter little, 12 first team Liverpool players will not be making the trip to the Netherlands. “It has taken me a while to understand this new format but I’m now 100% sure it doesn’t matter if you end up first or second,” said Slot.
“Because we are guaranteed to play the team that is 15th, 16th, 17th or 18th, and then it’s down to the draw.” Slot explained that his charges could drop to third and still it would have no impact. That said, the team he does assemble for the PSV clash will be one he expects to win.“My squad is a choice for the long-term. The do not need to prove themselves, we know what their quality is, but we are playing many, many games and the ones we left behind could have played but we need to think long-term. Help them get their freshness back.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FORMAT LIVERPOOL ARNE SLOT KNOCKOUT
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