In full: Arne Slot's programme notes for Liverpool v Aston Villa

The Reds host Villa at Anfield in the Premier League tonight (8pm GMT kick-off).

In the official matchday programme, head coach Slot writes: “No-one needs me to tell them that our recent run of form has been tough. In simple terms, it has not been good enough for this club or for our supporters and the sooner we can turn things around the better.

“At the same time, I would hope that everyone can see the quality that we have here and because of this is able to recognise not only the possibilities we have but also what can be created going forward if everyone continues to stick together.

“It is never easy to emerge from a difficult spell, of course. If it was as easy as doing a few things differently we would just do it but football, or life in general, does not work like this. So in the absence of an easy solution the only option is working as hard as ever, believing in one another and giving everything that we possibly can, whatever our role.

“I would not look for positives at a time like this because that would not make sense at a club like Liverpool, where expectations are always rightly so very, very high, but what I would say is that no-one should underestimate the effort that we are seeing from the players on a daily basis.

“What we are seeing at the AXA Training Centre is a squad that is totally committed on all fronts and this has not changed from last season when we were experiencing very different results in the main. With this attitude it will hopefully not be too long before things start to turn around.

“I have similar thoughts about our supporters. On Wednesday night I think everyone was impressed by how supportive you were in difficult circumstances. So much so that it was a question that kept coming up when I was carrying out my media duties after the game.

“This is why I always say we do not take this kind of support for granted. Yes, we can and should be aware of the incredible atmospheres that are created when things are going well in the biggest games, but we should be equally aware – and appreciative of – the backing we get at difficult times.

“Against Palace we were 2-0 down and if we are being totally honest it did not really feel like we would get back into the game but even so the fans were still pushing us on, trying to help us to make a difference.

“It was not to be but what happened tells me that tonight the fans will be incredible again, especially if ourselves as a team can show our best face.

“I would like to welcome Unai Emery, his players and staff and the supporters and officials of Aston Villa to Anfield for tonight’s game.

“After a difficult start to the season, Villa’s form has had a big turnaround in recent weeks and they have had some really impressive results – including a victory over Manchester City last week – so we should expect to face a team which has quality and belief.

“They are also an example of how quickly fortunes can change as long as everyone continues to believe and commitment does not diminish. As I said earlier, these basics are key for us, not just tonight but also in the days and weeks to come.

“Coming up we have a week in which we will face three big challenges, starting with tonight’s, but we have shown many times that we can rise to the occasion.

“This is what we will be looking to do once again and as always we will be trying to do it together with our supporters.”

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