Slot calm about English struggles in Champions League

Liverpool manager Arne Slot warned it is too early to draw conclusions about why Premier League clubs struggled in the Champions League after one matchday.

“- Published Liverpool manager Arne Slot says it is too early to be "jumping to conclusions" about why Premier League clubs struggled in the Champions League this week”

BBC

He said, "To jump to a conclusion after one gameday, I think that's such a small sample size, that's never the smartest thing to do."

BBC

None of the six English clubs won the first legs of their last-16 ties.

Liverpool were beaten 1-0 at Galatasaray.

BBC

Arsenal drew 1-1 at Bayer Leverkusen.

Newcastle held Barcelona 1-1 at home.

Chelsea lost 5-2 at Paris St-Germain.

Tottenham lost 5-2 at Atletico Madrid.

Manchester City were beaten 3-0 at Real Madrid.

Slot suggested several explanations without assigning firm blame.

“- Published Liverpool manager Arne Slot says it is too early to be "jumping to conclusions" about why Premier League clubs struggled in the Champions League this week”

BBC

He said the lack of a winter break is "not helpful" while stopping short of saying it caused the losses.

He argued teams in the last 16 face very good opponents.

He noted that four of the five other teams in the Champions League played away from home and said that's usually an advantage to play at home or a disadvantage to play away.

Slot pointed to small margins in the ties and asked for judgment to be reserved.

He noted the 2022-23 season was the most recent when no English side won a last-16 first leg and that Chelsea and Manchester City still advanced then.

BBC

Speaking before his side play Tottenham (16:30 GMT) in the league on Sunday, he said, "If you are in the Champions League last 16 then all the teams are very good and strong teams."

He added, "The margins were, in all the games I saw and in ours, really small. We didn't deserve to lose. Jumping to conclusions about one game is usually not what I would do."