Considering Unai Emery's consistent tactical approach over the years, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot believes preparing for the clash with Aston Villa is manageable. Following Liverpool's 4-0 Champions League victory over Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday night, Aston Villa will visit Anfield.
In a post-match press conference, Slot noted that Emery's tactics have remained unchanged for a long time, suggesting that while the formation might be similar, player selection could vary. "If you ask me now, I would say it’s not that difficult to plan. Emery has played in a similar style for years now. It’s almost always the same formation, but it sometimes depends on the player," said the Dutchman.
He added that there could be an element of surprise, as witnessed when Xabi Alonso made an unexpected tactical shift. According to Football365, Slot confirmed that Diogo Jota will miss the match, with expectations for his return post-international break. He mentioned, "There’s privacy about the nature of the injury, but like I said he will be back one or two weeks after the international break."
Liverpool currently sit atop the Premier League with just one defeat in their opening ten matches and boast a perfect record in this season's Champions League. When asked about the strong start to the season, Slot remarked, "Surprise isn’t the right word to use. I knew the quality of our team. Quality is one thing, though, and to be consistent is the second thing." He further emphasised the importance of effort and consistency within the squad.
Slot also addressed the external expectations from fans, stating, "The only expectations I have is they put in the same effort as they have been doing so far." He conveyed that the players understand the fine margins at play and are focused on improving daily as they aim for continued success.
The match against Aston Villa presents an opportunity for both teams, with the potential for an exciting encounter as they push for points in the league.