'Really important': Mac Allister shares what Slot has really been drilling home to Liverpool players recently

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Liverpool secured their place in the last-16 of the Champions League with a routine victory over Lille on Tuesday.

The Reds were not at their best for much of the game, but held Bruno Genesio’s team at arm’s length to come away with a 2-1 win.

With Liverpool already virtually through before the match started, Arne Slot was given the chance to rotate his team.

Slot had been expected go strong and while that was the case to a degree, there were also rare starts for the likes of Conor Bradley and Jarell Quansah.

One of those to have been given more rest than usual was Alexis Mac Allister, who came on as a substitute at half-time.

And speaking after the game, Mac Allister said that Slot had been drilling home to the Liverpool squad just how important rotation could be in the months ahead.

Arne Slot keen to use the whole Liverpool squad

Tuesday was the first time in this season’s Champions League in which Mac Allister has not started for Liverpool. The 26-year-old has been a key player for Slot all season long.

However, looking back on the game for LFCTV, Mac Allister was keen to point out the contribution of those who get less regular game time against Lille.

Asked about the impact of the players from the bench on Tuesday, the Argentine said that Slot had been keen to emphasise that every player will be needed from hereon in.

“I think it’s the desire and the fire to fight for trophies this year,” Mac Allister replied.

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“Of course it’s never easy to be on the bench but the coach tries to make clear that everyone is really important for the team and everyone has to contribute, even from the bench.

“I really like this because as a team if you want to compete for trophies you need players who come off the bench and do the things we are doing. So, really happy for that and everyone can see that we have a really good team.”

Who will start against Ipswich?

Obviously, part of the reason Slot was keen to rotate against Lille was because the Liverpool fixture list is once again going a little crazy.

The Reds play again on Saturday, when Premier League relegation candidates Ipswich Town come to Anfield.

Another midweek game then lies in wait as Liverpool head to the Netherlands to face PSV Eindhoven, before a tricky weekend visit to Bournemouth.

With Ipswich doing poorly this season, Slot may be tempted to rest another couple of players for Saturday’s match-up.

But with the PSV clash of little consequence, it’s more likely that the Liverpool head coach will return his team to full strength against Ipswich, before rotating on Wednesday.