LIVERPOOL: Liverpool manager Arne Slot believes his team is capable of creating something special when facing Paris Saint-Germain in the second leg of the Champions League quarter-final at Anfield.

The Reds are currently 2-0 down after losing the first leg in Paris, but Slot is confident that the result can still be overcome with an exceptional performance at home.

According to him, the first thing that was emphasized to the players was the fact that the gap was only two goals, even though the pattern of play in the first game seemed much different.

“First of all, I reminded them that the result was only 2-0 even though the match felt different. Secondly, we have proven many times that we are capable of performing well in big matches,” said Slot.

He also admitted that Liverpool’s performance this season has been inconsistent, but still believes his team has the ability to bounce back when needed.

“Yes, we believe we can do something special, but we need to be very, very special to achieve it. We are playing against the European champions, so the task is more difficult – but not impossible,” he said.

Slot is not expected to change his tactical approach much compared to the first match, despite playing in front of his own fans.

“Our approach is not much different. To take the ball away from them, we have to press high and we know how difficult that is,” he added.

Anfield, renowned for its incredible atmosphere during European action, is also expected to be a key factor in Liverpool’s revival mission.

Slot points to the epic comeback against Barcelona in the 2019 semi-final as proof of his team’s ability to create miracles on home soil.

With domestic competition not in their favour this season, the Champions League is now Liverpool’s last hope of winning a trophy, making this clash a defining moment for Slot’s squad.

MANCHESTER, England: Manchester United returned to action early Tuesday morning with renewed confidence as interim manager Michael Carrick welcomed Mason Mount back from injury while Lisandro Martinez returned to training ahead of the Premier League (EPL) match against Leeds United.

Carrick’s side have not played for more than three weeks since a 2-2 draw at Bournemouth, but they are back in third place in the league as they look to cement their Champions League qualification hopes, aided by a burgeoning squad as the season enters a crucial phase.

Mount has been a rare starter due to injury and only managed to play for a minute in the match against Bournemouth.

“It’s good to see Mason back with us after we lost him so soon after we took over,” Carrick told the media yesterday.

“He’s had almost two or three weeks to rebuild his fitness and get back into rhythm. His versatility is a major strength. He can play in the middle, in the central position, on the wing and play a variety of roles.

“We need to give him time to get back to full fitness and be patient, but he is at a good level now.”

Carrick, however, has yet to make a decision on the status of Martinez, who has not played since suffering a calf injury in early February.

“It’s a decision we have to make. We won’t rush into this.”

“He’s back in training and on the pitch, that’s a positive development. But we need to make sure he’s really ready.”

United are currently third on 55 points, one point ahead of fourth-placed Aston Villa and three points clear of fifth-placed Liverpool.

Carrick has made a huge impact since taking over in January, collecting 23 points from the 30 on offer, stabilising the team after a turbulent first half of the season.

With just a few weeks left and competition for five Champions League places fierce, United know they can’t make any mistakes.

LONDON: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta continues to be secretive about his plans as the team faces injury issues ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final against Southampton early Sunday morning.

Arteta confirmed that England striker Noni Madueke will not be available due to a knee injury, but team captain Martin Odegaard and defender Jurrien Timber have the opportunity to return to strengthen the squad.

Madueke previously suffered an injury during England’s friendly against Uruguay, but Arteta explained that the injury was not as serious as expected.

At the same time, several key players including William Saliba, Gabriel Magalhaes, Leandro Trossard, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice also did not participate in previous international assignments due to injury and fitness management factors.

However, Arteta refused to reveal the exact number of players who will return to action ahead of the important meeting.

“We are always transparent about the players’ conditions and decisions are made based on medical aspects.

“We are in a situation where we need to field the strongest line-up to win every competition,” he said.

Arsenal, who are chasing the FA Cup semi-finals, are seen wanting to bounce back from the disappointment of losing the League Cup final to Manchester City last month.

“We are only two or three games away from the FA Cup final and we know how important this tournament is,” said Arteta.

LONDON: Thomas Tuchel suggests that Phil Foden’s place in England’s squad for the World Cup is not guaranteed after once again failing to show off his best performance with the Three Lions.

Foden struggled with a different role in attack in the absence of Harry Kane in the 0-1 defeat to Japan in a friendly earlier this morning last night.

After starting the season well, the 25-year-old player has also seen less and less of a place in Manchester City’s main squad under Pep Guardiola since recently.

“He has tried everything. I could say he was brilliant throughout the training camp, but he found it difficult to show that performance in the middle of the field,” said Tuchel.

“Obviously he didn’t play much with City before this, then came into camp with a smile and did well in training.

“I thought he would surprise us with a powerful and confident performance, but he still failed to make a full impact.”

Foden rarely brings his best achievements at club level to the international stage, including when he helped England reach the Euro 2024 final after winning the Premier League’s best player award.

He now faces fierce competition from Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers for the position in the center of attack in Tuchel’s squad.

“It’s not a guarantee that he will be selected,” stressed Tuchel when asked about the opportunity to take players who are currently struggling to the World Cup in North America.

The defeat against Japan was Tuchel’s second in 12 matches with England, but he has still not beaten a team ranked in the world’s top 20 in more than a year at the helm.

Following a 1-1 draw against Uruguay last week, the German manager insisted a tough season in March would not determine their fate, while remaining confident England can end their wait since 1966 for a major trophy.

“We will not forget our dreams, we will not stop asking ‘why not?’,” he said.

“The most important thing now is for the players to return to their respective clubs, finish the season well, then we will regroup and make neat preparations to move forward.”

BUENOS AIRES: Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has insisted that star player Lionel Messi has the right to decide for himself whether to help the squad defend their World Cup title in North America this June.

According to Scaloni, there is no pressure on Messi to make an immediate decision, and the 38-year-old needs to be given time to assess his physical and mental condition.

“He has the right to make that decision calmly. There is no need to rush,” he said.

Messi, an eight-time Ballon d’Or winner and currently with Inter Miami, will be 39 when the tournament runs from June 11 to July 19.

The striker is also Argentina’s all-time top scorer with 115 goals.

Scaloni said he personally hopes Messi will play at the World Cup because his presence is important not only for Argentina, but also for the world of football.

“I will do everything I can to make sure he is in the team. For the sake of football, he needs to be there.

“But the decision is not in my hands, it depends on him, his physical and mental condition,” he said.

Scaloni admitted that Messi’s presence was awaited not only by Argentine supporters, but also by football fans around the world.

In a similar development, Scaloni confirmed that Messi will play in two friendly matches in Buenos Aires against Mauritania, early tomorrow morning, and Zambia, early Wednesday morning.

“For the Argentine people, the opportunity to see them play on their home turf is something special,” he said.

Argentina have been drawn in Group J alongside Algeria, Austria and Jordan, with their title defence starting against Algeria on June 16 in Kansas City.