Lille manager Bruno Genesio makes big claim about Liverpool ahead of Champions League clash

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Liverpool are back in Champions League action on Tuesday as French club Lille come to Anfield.

The Reds have been perfect in Europe this season and can seal qualification with a win over Bruno Genesio’s team.

But anyone expecting a comfortable ride at Anfield is likely to be in for a surprise.

Lille have upset the odds to beat both Real and Atletico Madrid this season and sit in an impressive eighth place in the Champions League table.

Fighting for an automatic spot for the last-16, Les Dogues will be up for the battle against Liverpool.

The Reds will still rightly be heavy favourites, though, and according to Genesio, Arne Slot’s team are ‘the best in the world’ at the moment.

Bruno Genesio hails Arne Slot’s Liverpool

Top of the Premier League and Champions League, it is a fair assumption that Liverpool are the best team currently on the planet.

Thomas Frank certainly seems to think so, anyway. The Brentford manager raved about Liverpool after facing them on Saturday, being left in no doubt that the Reds are the team to beat right now.

And speaking in his pre-match press conference on Monday, Genesio imparted similar praise on Slot’s team, while also assessing his own plan to disrupt the home side.

“Afterwards, of course, there is a game plan that can be a little different depending on the teams we face,” the 58-year-old said via RMC Sport when asked how he plans on stopping Liverpool.

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“But I think we have a team where we have to play our game. We are confident and we also come with a lot of humility because we are certainly facing the best team in the world at the moment.

“But I believe that we have everything to gain and that we must, above all, play our game. Of course, taking into account the strengths of the opponent.”

How are Lille doing in Ligue 1?

Liverpool’s game against Lille will be just the third time the two teams have played each other and the first time in the Champions League.

The two previous encounters came in 2010, when a Europe League last-16 tie ended 3-1 on aggregate to the Reds.

Since then, Lille have won two Ligue 1 titles, in 2011 and 2021.

This season, owing to PSG’s unbeaten start, they look unlikely to make it three. However, Genesio’s team have been impressive, sitting in third place with 32 points from 18 matches.

Having only lost twice in those games – and once in the Champions League – Lille are not an easy team to beat. Liverpool will have to be on it at Anfield.