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Liverpool's players have been told to operate as though it's business as usual, despite going into one of the most hostile environments in European soccer on Tuesday.
The Reds have no time to dwell on Saturday's defeat by Crystal Palace on Saturday, because a Champions League meeting with Galatasaray is on the horizon. Galatasaray's supporters famously gave Manchester United a 'Welcome to Hell' in 1993, and European games staged at Ali Sami Yen Stadium always stir up a ferocious atmosphere in the stands.
That will be no different when Liverpool plays there, and former Red Dean Saunders — who spent the 1995-96 season at Galatasaray — has given some advice to Arne Slot and his players.
"Liverpool’s players have played in huge games before," Saunders told BestBettingSites.com. "They will know how to deal with pressure. At Galatasaray, I loved it there. It was a great club with unbelievable support.
"A 7pm kick off would see the fans in the stadium by 12.
"Banging drums, red and yellow smoke everywhere. I played there sometimes, and we couldn’t see the pitch under the yellow and red.
"We played Sparta Prague, and I just felt sorry for them as they tried to cope. I thought, this must be murder for them.
"But the manager will tell his players the same thing. Whatever else is going on, it’s 11 v 11. It’s the same size pitch.
"Nobody is coming from the crowd to tackle you or save your shots. It’s all psychological, so put it out of your mind.
"The only worry is the referee getting wrapped up in the atmosphere and having a bad game, but that’s the only way it can get to you in a way you can’t control.
"Don’t let the crowd affect you. Play your normal game. There’s not a Galatasaray player who would get into Liverpool’s starting XI.
"Arne Slot will be telling players to play their usual game, move the ball quickly, and quicker than your opponents, and we’ll have the brains to move to the right places. We have the strikers who can finish moves on, whatever the crowd does.
"It’ll be a tough night, but they just need to focus. Andy Robertson, for example, is going to have a chance to get in behind his opponent and he can make a goal for Hugo Ekitike.
"It’s the same across the pitch. Do the basics, fight, and you’ll be OK. A point in Istanbul is a good result, too, so there’s not too much pressure."
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