'Only a fool' would write Reds off

Liverpool will already know how challenging the trip to Istanbul will be when then face Galatasaray.

Arne Slot's side lost there earlier in the campaign and seeing the way Galatasaray beat Juventus 5-2 in the play-offs is enough to show just how much of a force Okan Buruk's side are at home. Liverpool have played there three times and never won.

That said, they should fancy their chances of doing the job across two legs and it would definitely be a surprise if Liverpool failed to progress after the second leg at Anfield. Even Galatasaray's Victor Osimhen said earlier in the week that he would prefer to avoid Liverpool.

Deal with Galatasaray and the prospect of a quarter-final against Chelsea or PSG is tantalising to say the least. A tie with Chelsea would be a throwback to the Rafa Benitez days when the sides took on each other in the Champions League 10 times in the space of five years.

For Slot though, who repeatedly mentions how close his side came to knocking eventual winners PSG out of the competition last year, taking on Luis Enrique's side would be a chance to deliver a seismic statement in what the Liverpool boss has already described as his most challenging season yet.

On paper, Liverpool will not be fancied to go the distance given the season they've had but this is a side that knows what it takes to reach European finals.

They have a tough draw, with either Bayern Munich, Atalanta, Man City or Real Madrid as potential semi-final opponents. But only a fool would write off the team that has won this competition more than any other English side.

As club legend Ian Rush said on Friday: "If you are going to win it, you have got to beat them all on the way."