Liverpool, England — As the weekend dey approach, Liverpool boss Arne Slot don carry hin mouth come talk wetin dey happen for the club ahead of dem FA Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace. E gather for AXA Training Centre this morning, ready to drop some hot takes for him fans.
First matter wey dey on top everybody mind na the tragic passing of Diogo Jota. Slot no fit hide hin emotion as he talk about how the tragedy don touch dem for club, especially Jota family. “E don affect us well well, but e don touch Jota wife, children and parents pass us. Diogo na good guy. The tributes wey people don pay since the news break, na serious emotional vibes, from Preston to Asia, everywhere wey we go, people dey show love.” (Na true tears wey dey flow, wey no go end soon, sha.)
As fans dey wonder wetin go happen for the attacking front, Slot wan clarify about hin striking options. “Ah, plenty questions! You sabi say as manager, I no dey talk about players wey no join my family. But I fit gist you about the recent signing, Hugo [Ekitike]. E don burst ground well for us, and I dey happy with the squad wey we get now. If you look am, we win the league last season, plus we don bring new players join too.” (E no wan jinx anybody, I sabi.)
On top whether dem go need fresh legs for defense, Slot get hin talk ready. “Ryan Gravenberch, Andy Robertson, and Wataru Endo fit manage that position. You no mention Joe Gomez, wey get small injury but e go come back strong. We get enough options for defense. I dey happy with the boys, I no dey look for new players for that area, sha.” (Sometimes, na just dey go with wetin you get, if dem fit run am, why worry?)
Slot dey shine light on top the importance of the Community Shield as dem go face off against Crystal Palace. E say, “Na good chance to win first trophy of the season. Normally, you get plenty matches before you fit collect any silverware. Dis one na sharp sharp way to start the new campaign with trophy in hand. But make I yarn true, Crystal Palace no be small team oh. Dem hard to crack, we draw 1-1 last season, and dey don show wetin dey fit do even for finals.” (Now nah chance to show say dem fit deliver.)
We also hear Slot dey chop lowkey about the young talent, Rio Ngumoha. Dis boy don shine well well during pre-season, scoring and assisting as if na small matter. “E get gree for him to dey around big boys like Virgil van Dijk and Mo Salah. Na correct people to learn from for him age. E still dey adjust, but we dey work life for him. Normal if 16/17, you dey grow well, make we dey support dem into the big league.” (As e dey grow, we dey chop our palm wine, dey watch him shine.)
Lastly, talk don shift to African Cup of Nations. With Mo Salah dey go represent Egypt, dem don think of strategies. Slot don sign Jeremie Frimpong, wey fit cover for the right-back position and even play as right-winger. “I no go lie, we go miss Mo for some matches, but we get players for back. Jeremie fit remedy that situation.” (Hope say this na correct move, so we fit carry our trophy.)
E don clear say the Liverpool gaffer dey plan well for the season. The fight for Community Shield fit give dem the edge, as dem dey ready to take on Crystal Palace, wey no wan allow any free pass. Make we settle down, grab our pepper soup, and enjoy the show!
