Luis Enrique says Slot has created ‘almost perfect’ Liverpool

AFP | London

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Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique hailed the work done by Liverpool boss Arne Slot and said yesterday the Dutchman had built an “almost perfect team” since taking over from Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.

Two of Europe’s best sides this season meet on Wednesday as PSG host Liverpool at the Parc des Princes in the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie.

PSG are unbeaten in Ligue 1 and coasting towards another French title, while Liverpool sit 13 points clear in the Premier League and finished top of the 36-team league phase in the Champions League.

“It’s difficult to imagine a better match-up on paper, between two dominant teams, with two slightly different ways of playing but teams with dominant styles,” Luis Enrique told reporters.

Liverpool have lost on both their previous visits to PSG, in 1997 and 2018. The second defeat came months before they went on to lift the trophy later that same season in Madrid, beating Tottenham in the final.

The Reds also twice lost in the final under Klopp, both times to Real Madrid and most recently in 2022 at the Stade de France in a game overshadowed by the chaos outside the ground that left many fans traumatised.

Slot replaced Klopp last summer as the German stood down after nine years at the helm, and has made a remarkable impact on the six-time European champions.

“Liverpool have been one of the best teams in Europe over the past few years, they won the Champions League (in 2019),” said Luis Enrique.