Paul Joyce: Liverpool boss plans changes to balance Europe challenge | OneFootball

Slot Faces Rotation Dilemma as Liverpool Eye Champions League Redemption

Liverpool’s Champions League campaign kicks off against Atlético Madrid at Anfield this week, and the sense of unfinished business is impossible to ignore. According to Paul Joyce in The Times, head coach Arne Slot has spent much of the summer reflecting on last season’s painful exit at the hands of Paris Saint-Germain and is determined to find the right balance this time around.

Slot’s Champions League Obsession

Where most would dwell on Liverpool’s title-winning triumph or the emphatic 5-1 victory over Tottenham, Slot remains fixated on the round-of-16 defeat to PSG. It is telling that he calls the second leg at Anfield “the best game in which I have ever managed,” despite the fact that Liverpool crashed out on penalties.

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“ We were the only team that could bring them to extra time and the only team that could bring them to penalties,” Slot said. “So there was a frustration to lose it through penalties, but if I am out, I prefer to go out to the team that wins it in the end.”

It is a revealing mindset. Slot has made clear that Liverpool’s performance against PSG gave him and his players belief that they can compete with Europe’s best. His language has been one of opportunity, not regret, which underlines how much he wants to take Liverpool deeper into the competition this season.

Lessons from Last Season

Two lessons stand out from last year. First, Slot believes Liverpool had little to gain from finishing top of the league phase given the random nature of the draw. Being paired with PSG, who had just found their rhythm, felt cruel. Second, he has admitted that his side lacked freshness when it mattered most.

Liverpool were visibly fatigued in extra time against PSG and then went on to lose the Carabao Cup final to Newcastle days later. It is why Slot has been so keen to rotate his side more this season. “We need to make sure the players are in the best shape physically and mentally,” said Virgil van Dijk. “That is the responsibility that we all have to feel.”

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With a revamped squad at his disposal, Slot has more depth than last season, and the emphasis has been on spreading the workload. The introduction of fresh legs at the right moments could be decisive as Liverpool chase success on multiple fronts.

Isak Set for Debut

The arrival of Alexander Isak for a British-record £125 million from Newcastle was Liverpool’s marquee move of the summer. While Slot has been cautious not to rush him, the Atlético match could provide the perfect platform for a debut.

Having a striker of Isak’s calibre gives Liverpool a different dimension in attack, particularly against defensive-minded opponents like Atlético. Diego Simeone’s side, as UEFA’s report from last season showed, put more men behind the ball than any other team in the final third. Unlocking that low block will be essential, and Slot will hope Isak can provide the spark.

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Fresh Motivation and European Ambition

Inside the dressing room, the hunger is clear. “Of course we have a lot of desire for winning trophies this season again,” said Alisson. “The players who did it in 2019 had that feeling and we want to have the feeling again.”

Liverpool are entering their 50th season of European competition, a milestone that has not gone unnoticed. The sense of history adds weight to this campaign, and there is a collective determination to make it one to remember. The Premier League title has been retained, but the Champions League remains the ultimate measure of European pedigree.

With Atlético posing a tricky opening test, Slot’s decisions on squad rotation, player fitness, and Isak’s potential debut will set the tone. Get it right, and Liverpool can dream of going all the way. Get it wrong, and the frustrations of last season may resurface.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool fans are excited but cautious heading into this season’s Champions League campaign. There is no doubt that Slot has brought renewed energy to the side, but the memory of PSG still stings. Supporters will want to see evidence that lessons have been learned.

Rotation feels like the right move, yet some fans may worry about overdoing it and disrupting rhythm. The margin for error is slim at this level, and fielding a weakened side at the wrong moment could be costly.

Isak’s potential debut is another talking point. Liverpool fans are eager to see what the £125 million man can deliver, but there will be nerves about throwing him into a high-intensity game too soon. If he scores, it could ignite Liverpool’s campaign. If he struggles, questions will inevitably follow about whether the timing was right.

Overall, there is a quiet confidence. This is a squad full of experience and fresh quality, and Slot seems to have a clear plan. For fans, the hope is that Liverpool not only compete but dominate in Europe once again. The desire to lift that seventh European Cup remains as strong as ever.