Slot admits Liverpool should “carry out higher” in Istanbul after Galatasaray draw confirmed

Liverpool now know the primary impediment on our Champions League path to Budapest, and Arne Slot has not sugar-coated what the draw with Galatasaray means for the weeks forward.

The Reds have been paired with the Turkish champions in Friday morning’s last-16 draw, with the primary leg scheduled for RAMS Park on Tuesday March 10, kick-off 5.45pm GMT earlier than the return at Anfield on Wednesday March 18, kick-off 8pm GMT.

It’s a tie loaded with current context as a result of we have now already been to Istanbul this season, and that night time led to a irritating 1-0 defeat within the league part.

Slot’s first response, delivered to Liverpoolfc.com on the AXA Coaching Centre, was trustworthy in regards to the problem of the opponent and the fact of being drawn in opposition to a group we already know.

“Given the probabilities of the draw, we bought precisely what we anticipated and that may be a powerful last-16 draw in opposition to an opponent we have now confronted as soon as already this season,” Slot stated.

That earlier assembly is why our head coach instantly framed the away leg as the important thing early take a look at within the tie.

“We all know within the away leg we should carry out higher than the final time we have been in Istanbul again in September. That’s our speedy problem on this tie,” the 47-year-old added.

Slot’s Galatasaray response underlines Liverpool’s mindset

Whereas the bracket appears unforgiving, Slot made it clear the sensation across the squad is pleasure quite than anxiousness as a result of that is precisely the place we wished to be after navigating the league part.

“However the principle feeling is pleasure as a result of that is what we labored so exhausting for within the league stage. We wished to be right here and now we wish to benefit from being right here,” Slot defined.

Additionally it is value remembering why Galatasaray are right here within the first place, as a result of their play-off win over Juventus presents a warning in regards to the degree of perception they may carry into the tie.

“Particularly as we all know Galatasaray had such a optimistic consequence in opposition to Juventus to achieve the final 16,” Slot famous.

That sense of risk has been echoed by the opposition too, with striker Victor Osimhen admitting he would quite keep away from us whereas nonetheless insisting his aspect would embrace the problem if it comes.

“To be trustworthy with you, assembly Liverpool now could be going to be like some kind of revenge… I wouldn’t say a lot however I wish to escape Liverpool,” Osimhen advised Jamie Carragher.

Liverpool’s route is about and it appears demanding

The draw doesn’t simply verify Galatasaray, as a result of it additionally locks in what might comply with if we progress.

The winners of the tie will face both Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea within the quarter-finals.

That’s the reason the broader dialog has centred on the silver aspect of the bracket, the place elite-level ties are stacked one after one other for those who hold advancing.

Opta’s Champions League modelling nonetheless offers us motive for perception, although, as a result of the Opta supercomputer charges Liverpool as heavy favourites to get by way of the final 16 over two legs and nonetheless locations us among the many likeliest winners total.

It additionally helps clarify the unusual duality of this draw: it’s powerful by way of the potential route, however it is usually an opportunity to construct actual momentum by beating high quality opponents that sharpen you for what comes subsequent.

For Slot, there’s a direct sensible level too, as a result of our calendar doesn’t pause whereas Europe waits.

“We have now vital video games in different competitions earlier than the Champions League comes again round after all, so hopefully when the tie arrives we will probably be as prepared for it as we could be.”

That begins with West Ham United at Anfield on Saturday, however the Champions League image is now clear, and it’s exhausting to argue Liverpool have been handed something apart from a demanding path to Budapest.