Liverpool manager, Arne Slot, has called on his players to demonstrate complete dedication and top-tier football when they face Turkish champions, Galatasaray, in Istanbul on Tuesday for Matchday 2 of the 2025 UEFA Champions League.
Despite an impressive 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid in their opening Champions League match, Liverpool suffered a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League over the weekend. The loss raised questions, but Slot remains optimistic, emphasising the need for a robust performance against the Turkish side, who despite a humbling 5-1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt on the opening day, possess immense quality.
Slot urged his squad: “If you wear a Liverpool shirt and want to fight for trophies, you must give everything. Combine that effort with the best football you can play.”
The Dutch manager was quick to point out that the Galatasaray team, although defeated heavily in their first Champions League match, should not be underestimated. “They are a very, very good team with an excellent manager,” Slot said, adding, “The 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt could either be due to Frankfurt’s quality, or a bit of bad luck for Galatasaray. Either way, we know they understand what it takes to win the league and win a football match.”
Slot is also benefiting from the experience of assistant coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst, who previously managed Besiktas in Turkey. The duo’s insight into Turkish football, combined with van Bronckhorst’s familiarity with Galatasaray’s players, could provide Liverpool with a valuable edge in their preparations. “Gio has been vital in preparing us for this clash. He knows Turkish football and understands the players we’ll face,” Slot explained.
Set-pieces, Slot believes, will play a key role in the encounter. Referring to Liverpool’s previous Champions League victory against Atletico Madrid, where Virgil Van Dijk scored a late header from a set-piece, he remarked, “We knew Galatasaray are strong in this area, but I can tell you, we won our last Champions League match because of a set-piece.”
After a successful Premier League season in which Liverpool clinched the title with ease, the club has spent nearly £450 million ($614 million) strengthening their squad. While new signings Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike were brought in, it was the familiar Mohamed Salah who delivered the goods in the opening Champions League game against Atletico, contributing a goal and an assist.
Slot’s revamped squad will undoubtedly look to build momentum from their early success as they face a difficult away challenge in Istanbul, where the stakes for both teams are high.
