NewsRead Arne Slot's programme notes for Liverpool v Galatasaray

The Reds need to overturn a 1-0 deficit at Anfield this evening if they are to progress to the quarter-finals.

Slot writes: "That this is a massive game for us requires no explanation. Having worked so hard to reach this stage of the competition, we want – and need – to continue our journey, particularly after falling short in our attempt to qualify for the quarter-finals last season.

"This is not our only motivation, although it is clearly a big enough one in itself. We also have to aim to put right what was wrong at the weekend and also in other games this season.

"We owe this to ourselves and to our supporters and this, in my view, is as big a motivation as ever.

"A lot has been said about the reaction of our fans to our draw against Tottenham and all I can say is I get it.

"I get it from the point of view of disappointment at points being dropped, I get it in terms of frustration at conceding another late goal and I get it about elements of our performance in general.

"I would even go as far to say that it would not be normal if there was not frustration in a situation like this, particularly from those who care about our team and the club in general as much as our fans do.

"Our job now is to use that frustration in a positive way and for this reason it is clearly a good thing that not only do we have another home game so soon after but also that it is a home game of such crucial importance.

"This has to focus minds and heighten our desire to perform and deliver.

"After the support we have received throughout a season that has become more challenging than any of us could have expected, we owe it to our fans to produce for them. We also owe it to ourselves.

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"We know it will not be easy. Galatasaray earned their place in the last 16 and they arrive here with an advantage from the first leg which we will have to overcome.

"But the standard of this club is about meeting challenges like this head on and that is exactly what we must do.

"This means it is a night for going the extra mile. The incentives are there and we must give everything we have got to secure them.

"Given the scoreline is tight, the possibility exists that we might need to go beyond 90 minutes and, again, this is something that we have to be ready for and even embrace in the event that this situation occurs.

"I have a lot of respect for Galatasaray, for their manager, Okan Buruk, and I also respect what they and their supporters did last week in Istanbul in terms of making the first leg as difficult for us as they possibly could.

"But at the same time, I know what our players are capable of and what our own fans can deliver on a big European night at Anfield, so I go into this game with confidence that we can make Anfield a really difficult venue for Galatasaray to play at, particularly as the stadium will be only Liverpool red for this fixture.

"Last week in Turkiye – and against Spurs on Sunday also – we had more than enough opportunities to score – and on top of this other chances to create opportunities to score – that it is clear that we can make things easier for ourselves if we become more decisive in the final third.

"If we do this, we will not only add goals, we will also create scoreboard pressure and give ourselves a better chance of managing games than has been the case lately.

"As I said, this is an obvious area for improvement and while we definitely have the talent to take the steps that are necessary, we cannot waste any more time striving for the progress that we know is necessary.

"The onus is on us. This is our opportunity to go to the next round and also to remind ourselves and everyone else what we are capable of. Let's make the most of it."