Programme notesArne Slot's message to Liverpool supporters before Anfield meeting with West Ham
Arne Slot has issued a message to Liverpool supporters ahead of today's game against West Ham United at Anfield.
The Premier League leaders host the Hammers in a 2pm BST kick-off and are determined to bounce back after what was just their second top-flight defeat of the season at Fulham last time out.
Respects will also be paid at the fixture to the 97 men, women and children who died as a result of the Hillsborough disaster. Tuesday marks the 36th anniversary of the tragedy.
In his notes for the matchday programme, head coach Slot writes: "As anyone who reads these notes regularly will know, I always like to include a message to our supporters because you are so vital to everything that we do, but today I have two.
"The first is pretty normal and that is we are going to need you to be at your best in the games we have remaining at Anfield this season.
"The atmosphere in our last home fixture was very special, especially in the minutes after Diogo Jota scored the decisive goal. That, of course, was in a Merseyside derby and I have been in football long enough to know that a local rivalry will always bring out the very best in fans.
"The situation we are in with just seven games to go, though, means it would make a big, big difference if we could have a derby-style atmosphere in all of our home matches.
"Secondly, today we will pay our respects to the men, women and children who died in the Hillsborough disaster ahead of Tuesday's 36th anniversary.
"This is a responsibility that everyone at the club takes extremely seriously and, despite still being relatively new to Liverpool FC, l am very much aware of the toll that the tragedy took on our supporters both in terms of the disaster itself and the injustices that followed.
"We also recognise that there will be many amongst us today who are survivors of Hillsborough or who lost loved ones on that day.
"Again, I want you to know that we will always stand with you and we will never forget the 97 victims who were unlawfully killed.
"Not just this week as we commemorate the anniversary, but every single day. This is our duty to you as representatives of Liverpool Football Club."
