Arne Slot, manager of Liverpool, reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest FC at Anfield in Liverpool, England, September 14, 2024. /CFP
Liverpool will be in Italy tonight to take on AC Milan in a tough away game to start the revamped UEFA Champions League.
Today's match against the Serie A outfit will be Arne Slot's first European game as Reds coach since joining from Feyenoord over the summer.
Liverpool's transition from the Juergen Klopp era had appeared seamless when they began the season with three Premier League wins without conceding a goal, but Slot's shine was tarnished by Saturday's stunning 1-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at Anfield.
Liverpool and Milan have been crowned European champions a combined 13 times, with Liverpool beating Milan on penalties in the iconic 2005 final to clinch the fifth of their sixth titles. Today is also Slot's 46th birthday, but the Dutchman regards the game at San Siro as the most important event on the day.
"I think it's the first time that my birthday is not so important tomorrow. It's a big game not for me. Yeah also for me, yeah also for me but a big game for us because it's the first game and it's the next game and the next game is always the most important one as you know. But because of the history that these two teams have and the venue where it's played in. It's one to look forward to," said Slot.
Paulo Fonseca, head coach of AC Milan, speaks with media at a press conference in Cairate, Italy, September 16, 2024. /CFP
On the other side, it will also be a first continental outing in charge of AC Milan for Slot's counterpart Paulo Fonseca after he left Lille to join the Rossoneri in June.
Seven-time European champions Milan are not in great form and sit ninth in the Serie A with just one win from four matches in the new season. They are also looking ahead to the derby della Madonnina against Inter Milan on Sunday, but Fonseca said tonight's game against Liverpool is his focus right now and his men will seize the opportunity to show their level and values.
"Tomorrow's match is an opportunity for us. The team can show they are learning and growing. It is a great opportunity for me to play against a team like Liverpool. It is a different test compared to a Serie A tie, against Liverpool we can see our level of improvement and show our values," said Fonseca.