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.
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It’s a tie loaded with latest context as a result of we’ve already been to Istanbul this season, and that evening led to a irritating 1-0 defeat within the league part.
Slot’s first response, delivered to on the AXA Coaching Centre, was sincere in regards to the issue of the opponent and the fact of being drawn in opposition to a workforce we already know.
“Given the chances of the draw, we obtained precisely what we anticipated and that may be a robust last-16 draw in opposition to an opponent we’ve confronted as soon as already this season,” Slot mentioned.
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.
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“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 instant problem on this tie,” the 47-year-old added.
Slot’s Galatasaray response underlines Liverpool’s mindset
(Picture by Justin Setterfield/Getty Photos)
Whereas the bracket seems unforgiving, Slot made it clear the sensation across the squad is pleasure somewhat than anxiousness as a result of that is precisely the place we needed to be after navigating the league part.
“However the principle feeling is pleasure as a result of that is what we labored so arduous for within the league stage. We needed to be right here and now we need to take advantage of being right here,” Slot defined.
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It is usually price remembering why Galatasaray are right here within the first place, as a result of their play-off win over Juventus provides a warning in regards to the degree of perception they are going to carry into the tie.
“Particularly as we all know Galatasaray had such a constructive end result in opposition to Juventus to succeed in the final 16,” Slot famous.
That sense of risk has been echoed by the opposition too, with striker whereas nonetheless insisting his aspect would embrace the problem if it comes.
“To be sincere with you, assembly Liverpool now could be going to be like some kind of revenge… I wouldn’t say a lot however I want to escape Liverpool,” Osimhen advised Jamie Carragher.
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Liverpool’s route is ready and it seems demanding
(Picture by Justin Setterfield/Getty Photos)
The draw doesn’t simply affirm Galatasaray, as a result of it additionally locks in what may observe 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 , the place elite-level ties are stacked one after one other if you happen to preserve advancing.
nonetheless offers us motive for perception, although, as a result of the Opta supercomputer charges Liverpool as heavy favourites to get via the final 16 over two legs and nonetheless locations us among the many likeliest winners general.
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It additionally helps clarify the unusual duality of this draw: it’s robust by way of the potential route, however additionally it is an opportunity to construct actual momentum by beating high quality opponents that sharpen you for what comes subsequent.
For Slot, there’s an instantaneous sensible level too, as a result of our calendar doesn’t pause whereas Europe waits.
“We’ve got necessary video games in different competitions earlier than the Champions League comes again round in fact, so hopefully when the tie arrives we shall be as prepared for it as we might be.”
That begins with West Ham United at Anfield on Saturday, however the Champions League image is now clear, and it’s arduous to argue Liverpool have been handed something apart from a demanding path to Budapest.
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