The match will take place at Rams Park stadium, where Liverpool previously suffered a 0-1 defeat in the group stage last September. Slot anticipates this rematch will be more challenging, as Galatasaray is currently in excellent form and making its first appearance in the Champions League round of 16 since 2014.

The Turkish side recently impressed by eliminating Juventus in the play-off round. A dominant 5-2 home victory in the first leg provided Galatasaray with a significant advantage, leading to a 7-5 aggregate win.

Coach Arne Slot and Liverpool board a flight to Turkey, preparing for the match against Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16 first leg on 9/3. Photo: Liverpool FC

Slot acknowledged that Liverpool will confront pressure from both the field and the stands. "The fans here are truly impressive; we clearly felt that when we played here", he stated on 9/3 during the pre-match press conference. "The positive is that we have experienced it once. However, for Galatasaray players, it's a familiar occurrence every home game".

The Dutch coach described the hostile atmosphere and jeers from the stands as a unique experience for Liverpool. Slot noted that Liverpool will face not only the crowd but also 11 skilled players and an excellent Galatasaray coach.

"When you have the ball, the whistling is incredibly loud", he explained. "That is new to me and even to Liverpool's experienced players".

Today's match at Rams Park will also mark Slot's 100th game as Liverpool coach. Should he guide Liverpool to victory, he could surpass club legend Kenny Dalglish's record of 62 wins in his first 100 games managing the club.

Slot expressed pride in reaching his 100-game milestone leading Liverpool in the Champions League round of 16. He emphasized that the team's success hinges on the players. "The coach is not the main character. My job is to prepare as best as possible, and the players must perform on the field", the 47-year-old coach stated.

Alexis Mac Allister, also present at yesterday's press conference, predicted Liverpool would face a physical match. The 2022 World Cup winner believes his toughest opponent in Galatasaray's midfield could be Lucas Torreira, the midfielder who played for Arsenal from 2018 to 2022.

"If I had to choose one person, I think it would be Torreira, partly because he is Uruguayan, and we all know how fiercely South American players compete", Mac Allister said. "He is very strong and also very good on the ball, so I anticipate interesting battles with him".

The Argentine midfielder further affirmed Liverpool's primary goal this season is to win the Champions League. Having already won the World Cup and the Premier League, Mac Allister views the European title as his next dream.

"That is definitely my dream right now. This is a World Cup year, so why not think about winning it again, but the Champions League remains one of the most important goals of the season", he stressed. "I think we have a squad capable of going far and winning. But we have to show that on the field, and I believe tomorrow's match will be very difficult".

Hong Duy (according to ESPN, Liverpoolfc.com)