Peter Bosz has offered warm words for Arne Slot as he leads PSV Eindhoven into Wednesday night’s clash with Liverpool.
Bosz, preparing for his first-ever visit to Anfield, said he is certain Slot will “improve Liverpool’s fortunes”, even as the hosts arrive under considerable pressure after losing eight of their last 11 matches.
The PSV manager knows Slot well, having faced him five times in previous roles. Bosz holds the upper hand in those meetings, winning three and losing just once.
One of those victories came as recently as January, when PSV beat a heavily rotated Liverpool side 3-2 in the final Champions League league-phase match.
With Liverpool already assured of a top-two finish, that fixture had little riding on it, but Bosz still drew confidence from his team’s performance.
Despite the Reds’ poor form, Bosz insists he expects a fierce challenge at Anfield, though he admitted he would rather meet Liverpool now than when they are flying.
Even so, he reiterated his respect for Slot’s work and expressed his belief that the manager will soon turn the situation around.
“No, (I have no sympathy for him). He’s a great trainer,” said Bosz. “He has so much quality, he will turn it around.
“Where they have a problem is all the good purchases they brought in, how do you make a team which gels together?
“I don’t doubt it will happen. I know he is going to be able to deal with this and get out of it.
“If you look at the last match when they lost 3-0. How is it possible, that’s what you start thinking. We’re here to play a good match, it should be about us, not the opponent.
“I haven’t got a crystal ball. I’d rather play against a team that is not in form than one which is.
“I really can’t be bothered answering that (the difference between Liverpool in the Premier League and Champions League). I would have to have really studied what’s going on and I haven’t.
“We have to be PSV and play our own way. Liverpool have their own way of playing, tomorrow it is about who does it the best.”
