Liverpool manager Arne Slot has played down suggestions that his team is currently the best in Europe as they prepare to face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last-16.
Liverpool head into Wednesday’s first leg in Paris as one of the tournament favourites, having topped the league phase with seven wins from eight games. They are also 13 points clear at the top of the Premier League, with Slot’s transition from Jurgen Klopp proving seamless.
PSG coach Luis Enrique praised the Dutchman for creating “an almost perfect team,” but Slot brushed off the compliment.
“I think that is a nice compliment, but the best team in Europe has to win the Champions League, and we are far away from that,” he told reporters at the Parc des Princes. “For me, Real Madrid is still the best team in Europe because they won this competition last season.”
Liverpool and PSG are vying for a place in the quarter-finals, where the winner will face either Aston Villa or Club Brugge. Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Arsenal, and PSV Eindhoven are potential semi-final opponents.
Slot also praised Luis Enrique’s work at PSG, suggesting they are even stronger than last season. Acknowledging the tactical challenge ahead, Slot admitted Liverpool will have to adapt to PSG’s aggressive pressing.
“They take a lot of risks when they press, going man-for-man all over the pitch. That makes it hard for many teams to dominate possession against them.”
