Arne Slot: Our responsibility is to recognise what's happening and put things right

The Reds host Oliver Glasner's Eagles in round four of the competition, with this being the third meeting between the clubs already this season.

Slot writes: "It goes without saying that our recent form has not reached the standards that you expect of us or that we expect of ourselves. This is, of course, a major disappointment, especially given the positive start we made to the season.

"From our perspective, there are no excuses. Yes, we are aware of the reasons and we will discuss them, but the one thing we cannot and will not do is use them as an excuse. Our responsibility is to recognise what is happening and put things right. There is no other option.

"Part of this process involves being hurt. We should be hurt by results like Saturday's when we lost to Brentford, and we should use the feelings this creates to further fuel our motivation. Not that anyone could accuse the players of a lack of effort – if anything, the opposite is true – but how we use this effort and desire is what will make the difference.

"Tonight's fixture gives us an opportunity to take a step forward, not just in this competition but also in our season as a whole. That it comes against an opponent that continues to prove itself to be very strong means this will be a testing cup tie but, again, this is the kind of challenge that we have to embrace.

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"Of course, we have already faced Palace in the Premier League this season and the result on that occasion was not what we would have hoped for. Credit to Palace for that.

"Their winning goal came very late on that occasion after we had equalised following a difficult first half for us, so we should be aware not just of the problems they can cause but also of their ability to keep going until the final whistle.

"At the time of writing these notes, I have not made a final decision on the squad that we will use for this game – there is a need to train and to check on availability – but whichever players we use have to be ready to face a team like Palace.

"We also have to work hard to play our football. There has been a lot of discussion about the direction that football has taken in England this season and while this kind of conversation is totally normal, we have to show that not only can we deal with these changes but also that we impose our game on our opponents.

"Again, I would be the first to admit that this has not happened enough up to now and we take responsibility for this. At the same time, I do not doubt either the determination or the ability of us to respond in the right way as a team. Saying that is the easy part, though. Now we have to show it.

"I would like to welcome Oliver Glasner, his players and staff, and the directors and supporters of Crystal Palace to Anfield for tonight's game.

"We have seen a lot of each other in recent months as this will be the fourth time we have met since last May, and that is with a summer break in between, so we are well aware of the qualities that Palace will bring.

"Finally, we also know that the recent period has been very difficult for our supporters, especially those who have travelled to places like Brentford, Chelsea and Palace only for their backing to go unrewarded.

"Repaying this kind of support is one of the things that motivates us most, but as you will know better than anyone, this is a time when you can help make a difference.

"The more that you can support the players by pushing them on, the better – especially in moments when it is difficult for us. Liverpool is a special club in this regard, as there have been so many occasions when the fans have responded when we have had our backs to the wall, and this can only ever help the team."

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