In fullRead Arne Slot's programme notes ahead of Anfield opener with Brentford

The Reds welcome Thomas Frank's squad to Anfield for a 4.30pm BST kick-off, as Slot takes charge of his opening competitive game in L4 as head coach.

"I know from past experience as a football fan, as a player and a coach that this will be a special day for many people," Slot writes in his column.

"It is a moment that all of us look forward to because it brings so many possibilities and opportunities and one of the best things about today is that we get to share this excitement together.

• Get your copy of the matchday programme at Anfield today or order online here

"I do not want to dwell too much on the fact that this will be my first competitive fixture at Anfield in my new role as head coach. It goes without saying that this is a big honour for me and also for my staff, but at the same time our only focus will be on the game itself, not on any personal feelings or side issues.

"Having said that, it is important that I say thank you to everyone who has made my staff and myself so welcome from the moment we came here. Before I arrived, I was told that Liverpool is a family club, and it has definitely lived up to this description in so many ways. This is something that we are very grateful for.

"In this spirit, I would like to say welcome to every single supporter who is at today's game. Whether it is your first game or the latest of hundreds, I hope it is as enjoyable an experience as you hope for. Welcome also to Thomas Frank and his staff.

"Brentford are a club who have a very good reputation in this country and in Europe also because of what they have achieved in the Premier League in recent seasons. This means they will be a big challenge for us, so we have to be ready for that.

"The positive is that we go into the match with three points on the board already. We wanted a good start against Ipswich Town last weekend and after a difficult first half against a tricky and determined opponent, we got one.

"As with almost every game, there were things I liked a lot and elements that I was not so happy with. This is totally normal, of course, especially at the very start of a new season, and this is why the hard work continues on the training ground so that we can look to improve the parts that worked well and the parts that did not work quite so well.

"I have said a few times that my responsibility is always to look for perfection even though we all know that perfection is not really achievable. It is about being the very best that we can be, as individuals and as a team, and part of this process is never falling into the trap of thinking we are good enough or that we have done enough.

"As I have said many times since coming here, I inherited a very good team from Jürgen and our responsibility now is to do everything we can to build on this legacy. We have a lot of quality and there is also a really positive culture in place, so that the opportunity for us to improve is clear even though it is just as clear that the team did really well last season.

"We are now just taking the first steps in that journey and if our experience of football should tell us anything it is that it will not be easy. But this is also what makes it so exciting. When a club like this one goes in a different direction or looks to become even stronger than it already is, it does so in the knowledge of what is possible and also the support that we will have along the way.

"This support is not something we take for granted, though. We know it constantly has to be earned and that the only way to do this is by giving absolutely everything we have on and off the pitch. Today is about making good on our side of this bargain so hopefully we can do that."

• Get your copy of the matchday programme at Anfield today or order online here