Reaction'Excited for it' - Arne Slot on Liverpool's UCL last-16 pairing with Galatasaray
Arne Slot wants Liverpool to ‘make the most’ of their position in the Champions League knockout phase, but knows Galatasaray will prove tough opponents in the last-16 stage.
The Reds will take on the Turkish side in the next round of the competition, with the first leg scheduled to take place at RAMS Park on March 10/11 and the return at Anfield on March 17/18.
Slot’s team have already visited Istanbul this season, suffering a 1-0 defeat by Galatasaray on matchday two of the Champions League league phase.
And the head coach is, therefore, fully aware of the challenge that awaits them.
“Given the possibilities of the draw, we got exactly what we anticipated and that is a tough last-16 draw against an opponent we have faced once already this season,” he reflected to Liverpoolfc.com at the AXA Training Centre immediately following Friday morning’s draw.
“We know in the away leg we will have to perform better than the last time we were in Istanbul back in September. That is our immediate challenge in this tie, especially as we know Galatasaray had such a positive result against Juventus to reach the last 16.
“But the main feeling is excitement because this is what we worked so hard for in the league stage. We wanted to be here and now we want to make the most of being here.
“We have important games in other competitions before the Champions League comes back around of course, so hopefully when the tie arrives we will be as ready for it as we can be.”