'I don't like' - Arne Slot makes his feelings clear on Champions League format

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Arne Slot has disclosed his desire to see alterations made to the Champions League structure as Liverpool gears up to take on Atletico Madrid.

The Reds commence their campaign to secure a seventh European Cup when they meet the Spanish team at Anfield on Wednesday.

Slot's players, who are the current Premier League titleholders, were eliminated from last season's tournament by eventual winner Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool was paired with the Ligue 1 champion despite finishing at the summit of the revised group stage format.

When questioned about last season's draw, Slot conceded: "It is not a smart thing to judge something on one event because then it is of no interest if you end up number one, seven or eight because we had a very difficult draw.

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"What I don't like about this format is everywhere [else] you have a league table and play-offs, you have a league table after everyone playing the same teams, so if you end up number one, then probably the number eight is weaker than the number five.

"This league table doesn't give the real opinion about who is good and who isn't, so it can happen like last season, where the number 11, Real Madrid, played the number 22, Man City.

"If you ask me this question immediately after we lost to Paris St Germain, I would say, 'Forget about the first eight games,' but now I use my brains more and I tell you, 'Don't judge a new format on the first time, judge it after three or four times and let's see.'"



Liverpool will face Atletico Madrid on Wednesday

Liverpool will always be able to compete in the Champions League."

Despite Atletico only securing one victory from its first four La Liga games this season, Slot is aware of the challenging match ahead.

"When I was at Feyenoord in the Eredivisie, we knew when you went from a Sunday to a Wednesday, you had to make two steps up unless you played Ajax or PSV on the weekend," he said.

"But in the Premier League, it is the same quality or a little step up, so again, a very difficult one because Atletico Madrid have done so well in La Liga.

"So many years with Diego Simeone and even able to win the league twice when you face Real Madrid and Barcelona.

"Again, a team that is a difficult one to play against because of their mentality, team performance and quality."