Liverpool manager Arne Slot has made it clear that football needs to step up its fight against racism. His comments come after Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr accused Benfica's Gianluca Prestianni of racist abuse during their Champions League match on Tuesday.
The incident overshadowed Real's 1-0 win at Benfica. Vinicius claimed he was subjected to a racist slur, though both Benfica and Prestianni have strongly denied the allegation. UEFA is now reviewing what happened, and the game was actually stopped for 11 minutes under FIFA's anti-racism protocol.
"You can never do enough, you can always do more to make sure this never happens again," Slot told reporters on Thursday. The Dutch manager believes football should set a higher standard than society in general. "We have to try as a football community to do more than society does," he added.
Slot praised how the protocol was followed during the match. He said he'd expect his Liverpool players to act the same way - calling it out immediately and making sure the referee takes action.
Forest Challenge Awaits
But Slot's focus is also firmly on Sunday's Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest. It's a crucial match for both sides, with Liverpool sitting sixth on 42 points and Forest dangerously close to the drop zone in 17th place. Forest are just three points above the relegation spots.
This fixture brings back painful memories for Liverpool fans. When these teams met at Anfield in November, Forest shocked everyone with a 3-0 victory. But things have changed since then - Forest now have a new manager in Vitor Pereira, who replaced the sacked Sean Dyche just last Sunday.
"We only have tonight to see if this new manager changes personnel," Slot explained, referring to Forest's Europa League playoff match against Fenerbahce on Thursday. The good news for Liverpool's preparation is that Pereira managed Wolves in the Premier League last season, so his style won't be completely unknown.
For those looking at the betting angles, Liverpool's form has improved significantly in recent months. Slot confirmed his team is "in a much better place" than they were three or four months ago. He pointed to better fitness levels and improved set-piece play as key factors. With Forest's precarious position and managerial changes, the odds might favor the visitors despite that shock November result.
Team News and Fitness
On the injury front, defender Jeremie Frimpong will miss the weekend clash. However, Joe Gomez is back to full fitness and ready to start if needed. That's a boost for Liverpool's defensive options as they look to tighten up at the back.
Forest's new boss Pereira will be hoping for an immediate impact. His first match in charge comes Thursday night in Europe, giving Liverpool's coaching staff a chance to analyze his tactics before Sunday's showdown.
