Liverpool manager Arne Slot says he wants his players to show how much they have missed those “special” Champions League nights at Anfield when they host Bologna on Wednesday night.
The Merseysiders failed to qualify for last season’s competition after finishing fifth in the Premier League in 2022/23, but bounced back in Jurgen Klopp’s final campaign to finish third.
The Reds marked their return to Europe’s top table with a 3-1 win over AC Milan at the San Siro. They face Italian opposition again for their first home game and Slot’s first experience of Champions League football at the famous ground.
“I am privileged to work at Feyenoord last season where Champions League nights were special. People tell me it is going to be more special here,” the Dutchman said in his pre-match press conference.
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“What I want from the players is them to show they missed this. I want to see this, I want to feel this. That the players missed this for a season.
“I am hoping it’s the same from our fans. I am hope they feel this desire to show Europe that you missed us.
“That combination should lead to hopefully a special night for everyone involved with Liverpool.”
Bologna enjoyed a brilliant campaign last year to finish fifth in Serie A, which was enough to qualify for the Champions League after Atalanta won the Europa League. However, the Rossoblu have won just once in the league so far this term and drew against Shakhtar Donetsk on matchday one after selling Joshua Zirkzee and Riccardo Calafiori in the summer.
Slot, though, is not taking them lightly. “Bologna showed last season and this season they are a really difficult team to beat. We as Liverpool know how difficult it can be against a team that man mark all over the pitch. Atalanta did that last season.
“To face an Italian team at Champions League level, we don’t underestimate them at all. That’s not what they deserve based on last season.”
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