Slot keen to make Liverpool’s ‘good’ season a ‘great’ one

LIVERPOOL: Liverpool boss Arne Slot refused to shy away from the possibility of completing an unprecedented quadruple in his first season in English football on Friday as he lavished praise on captain Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds romped into the League Cup final with a 4-1 aggregate win over Tottenham on Thursday. Liverpool are six points clear at the top of the Premier League, with a game in hand over their challengers, and topped the Champions League group phase to progress to the last 16.

Next up Slot´s men travel to Championship strugglers Plymouth on Sunday aiming to reach the fifth round of the FA Cup. No English side has ever completed the clean sweep of the three domestic trophies and the Champions League in the same season.

“I can only tell you that at this moment in time we are in a very good place. I´m not just talking about the results, but the players are fit and ready,” said Slot on Friday. “We are in a good place but we also know how long the season still is and how many difficult challenges there will still be for us.

“I´m not expecting us to win every game like we did yesterday (4-0 against Tottenham), but that is also not what I ask of them. We just try to do everything to win every single football match.” Van Dijk rounded off the scoring as Liverpool swept Spurs aside to easily overturn a 1-0 first leg deficit.

The Dutchman has been imperious since his compatriot took charge despite ongoing speculation over his future as Van Dijk´s contract expires at the end of the season. “I think Virgil deserves every compliment he gets. He´s been outstanding for this club for so many years and since I´m working here he´s been outstanding for me as well for the performances he brings in,” added Slot.

“Virgil, like many others, has had a good season. But he wants, just like all the others, to make it a great season and, therefore, we still have to play many games.” Slot confirmed he will rotate his side for the trip to Plymouth with a daunting run of five Premier League games in 15 days to come, starting with the Merseyside derby at Everton on Wednesday.