A year ago, Liverpool were flying high in the Premier League and a dominant force in the league phase of the Champions League. Around the busy holiday period and start of a new year, though, is when it
all began to unravel for Arne Slot’s Reds.
Their league edge was so great they still cruised to the title, but there were concerns about a clear declining of performances as well as worrying domestic cup and European performances and exits from other competitions. Now, a struggling, wounded side prepare to take on Inter Milan.
“It’s not my concern,” said Inter manager Christian Chivu when pressed about the latest bad news in Liverpool land, namely the falling out between manager Slot and Mohamed Salah, the man who carried him and the club to the title last season.
“I know that they have players who can replace him, and that Liverpool will maintain a high level as they always have done throughout their history. We’re talking about teams, not individuals. That is what we have to worry about, not about individuals, and they have a lot of quality.”
Anyone who’s watched Liverpool play this season would quibble about the “maintain a high level” part, but then you wouldn’t expect an opposing manager to provide bulletin board material by being honest about just how poor the 2025 Reds have looked.
There will also be concerns on the “have a lot of quality” front for Liverpool in this match, with Salah left out of the travelling squad due to his falling out while Slot favourite Cody Gakpo as well as Federico Chiesa are out of the squad due to illness and injury, respectively.
That leaves Liverpool in a situation where their only fit recognized winger will be 17-year-old Rio Ngumoha. To hear Chivu talk, though, he’s preparing his side to take on a team in their pomp—in an effort, perhaps, to ensure his side don’t take the win for granted.
“They are a team who make intensity their motto,” he added. “It’s a part of their identity. Jürgen Klopp brought it, Slot is trying to keep that—and has succeeded given that he won the Premier League. They’ve had a few difficulties, but they’re a team built for this sort of game.
“We know what they bring on the pitch, individually and collectively. We want to be like them, but they are born that way. They have history and culture, linked to what football represents in England, which is different to in Italy. Not better or worse, just different.
“So everything can be easy when you say it, can look easy on the whiteboard and on the screens too. The problem is turning words into strength on the pitch. But we all know about Liverpool’s intensity, the quality they have individually and collectively.”
