Gerets hopes for success at 'holy ground'

Galatasaray’s Belgian coach Erik Gerets believes his side will not be intimidated by Anfield even though he considers it to be “holy ground” for footballers.

Gerets accepts that after drawing their first Champions League group C game at home to Bordeaux, the Turkish champions cannot afford to lose to Liverpool tomorrow.

And the 54-year-old, who won the European Cup as a player with PSV Eindhoven in 1988, insists he has not come to Merseyside for a draw.

Gerets said: “If we only come here to defend then we know we do not have a chance.

“I have been misinterpreted when I said recently that we would be happy with a draw.

“We are playing Liverpool, they won the Champions League two seasons ago and are one of the great sides of the world.

“They are a big, important team. Obviously we are aware of that and know the task. Anfield is a great arena, but we play in front of passionate fans so the noise will not be a problem.

“But we have not come here just to draw, but against such a team that would be a good result. But it does not mean that if we see the chance to win we will not take it.

“We will be looking to surprise Liverpool. But I obviously understand how difficult it will be.”

Gerets, who won 86 national caps as a tough tackling defender, admitted his ambition as a player was to play at Anfield.

He said: “This is a special game for me. While I was playing I considered Anfield to be holy ground. All my career I wanted to play here but it never happened.

“Now I can only do it as a coach but I will cherish the night. I was at Anfield last week to see Liverpool beat Newcastle, and it was a great experience.

“English fans get behind their team from the start, they create a fine atmosphere and I must admit that I enjoyed the experience. Of course Galatasaray fans are also very special, they will sing from start to finish and I respect that.

“But there is an atmosphere in English football that I really like. It is why English football is such a spectacle.”

Galatasaray are without Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto, the former Arsenal, Fulham and West Brom player. He has been left behind in Istanbul with a knee injury.

But there is a strong chance that former Liverpool defender Rigobert Song will have recovered from a hamstring strain to play against his old club, having spent a season at Anfield in 1999-2000.

Galatasaray, who lost 3-1 to Trabzonspor at the weekend and have won just two league games all season, also have former Blackburn striker Hakan Sukur in their ranks, along with ex-Charlton midfielder Sasa Ilic.