LONDON – Liverpool manager Arne Slot is expecting his side to emerge victorious as he prepares for their League Cup semi-final, second-leg clash against Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield on Feb 6.
Both teams head into the match on the back of 2-0 Premier League away wins last weekend – the Reds defeated Bournemouth thanks to a Mohamed Salah brace, while Spurs clinched victory at Brentford.
It is Slot’s men, however, who have more work to do after losing 1-0 in the first leg in January.
“Even if we’re 1-0 down we try to win this,” the Liverpool boss said on Feb 5.
“We were quite close in the first leg until the last few seconds, down to 10 and conceded a goal but nothing changes for this game. If you wear this shirt, if you play at Anfield, there’s only one thing expected of you – to win the game.
“Every game we play, we have to do as much right as we can and after the game we tell them what we did well and what we can improve... to come as close as we can to a perfect game at the end of the season.”
Despite Liverpool trailing in the tie, few would bet against them losing again, especially in front of their home support, and would expect them to advance to a record 15th final appearance in this competition.
The Reds will first have to score two goals and not concede – or simply win by a two-goal margin – and chances are they are likely to do so and progress to face either Newcastle United or Arsenal.
Since losing to Nottingham Forest in September, Slot’s men are unbeaten in 15 matches at home, scoring at least twice on each occasion, and winning 13 of them.
The next three fixtures are vital in their bid to win an unprecedented quadruple – they face Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend before a derby trip to Goodison Park to take on Everton – but getting past Tottenham should be the priority for now for the Premier League and Champions League leaders.
“I don’t think I have to prepare them different to any other game, from now on until the end of the season and as long as Liverpool exists, you need to win the game,” Slot reiterated.
The Dutchman has also confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold will miss the match after he was forced off with a thigh injury against Bournemouth.
“He is not available tomorrow. I think you saw he left the pitch with a bit of a pain in his leg, so that is why he misses tomorrow. He is already on the pitch with the rehab coach...