Liverpool midfielder Alexis MacAllister believes his team are well prepared ahead of their Wednesday night Champions League clash with Bologna.
The Argentine revealed he has the inside track on visiting manager Vincenzo Italiano and knows what he expects from his players. Said MacAllister: “I know the (Bologna) manager from his time at Fiorentina because I have a very good friend, Nicolas Gonzalez, who played under him.
“I know more or less what he wants from his team and I’m pretty sure that it will be a very tough game. I think we expect the game to be quite physical.”
MacAllister reflected on his own ambitions for this season. He said: “For some people, it was a surprise that I won a World Cup before I made my debut against Milan in the Champions League, but it’s definitely a dream to win the Champions League. When you play for Liverpool, you have to fight for it.”
The game against Bologna represents a significant moment for new Liverpool manager Arne Slot. This will be his first Champions League game at Anfield, following on from the Reds dominant 1-3 victory against AC Milan at the San Siro in September.
MacAllister, who has maintained his midfield spot under the Dutchman, is confident in Slot’s methods: “Now that the games come thick and fast, it’s a little bit harder to prepare for the games as much as we want,” he said.
“But he is definitely an amazing manager. You can see the way he speak. From the first day, we understood what he wanted from us. I think that’s the main thing for a coach, to try and get the idea he has into his players.”
Manchester City’s Rodri has suggested players might strike over the number of games they are now expected to play, a debate sparked by the new Champions League format introduced for this season.
MacAllister said: “The only thing I can say is we all love playing football, and yes we are tired. There are a lot of games. We need more communication between all the parties – the players, the managers, and everyone.
“I think that’s the easiest way forward, and that’s the only thing the players ask for.”
