Liverpool vs Galatasaray – News and Probable Lineups

In an attempt to recover from a one-goal deficit from the first leg, six-time European champions Liverpool will welcome Galatasaray to Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 matchup on Wednesday evening.

After suffering a 1-0 defeat in Istanbul during the League Phase six months ago, the Merseysiders faced another loss by the same margin at the same venue last week, thanks to an early goal from Mario Lemina.

Match overview

Arne Slot did not get the celebration he envisioned for his 100th match in charge of Liverpool during last week’s first leg, but he remains “100% sure” that his team “can do better” in the return leg and anticipates that the Anfield supporters will recreate the intimidating atmosphere generated by Galatasaray fans in Turquia.

Last season, the Reds were eliminated in the last 16 by defending champions Paris Saint-Germain, and suffering another exit at this stage would only add to the pressure on Slot, who has managed just one win in his last four matches across all competitions (D1 L2).

On Sunday, Liverpool’s chances of finishing in the top four of the Premier League took another hit as they let a one-goal advantage fade into a 1-1 draw at home to Tottenham Hotspur, who are fighting relegation. A late equaliser from former Everton forward Richarlison leaves the Reds in fifth place, two points adrift of Aston Villa in fourth with eight matches to go.

The team must now regroup for Wednesday’s European return at Anfield, where they have claimed victory in 15 of their last 19 UEFA competition matches. Liverpool have also achieved five wins out of their last six European home games against Turkish sides (D1), managing to keep five clean sheets during that span.

While Liverpool can take solace in having advanced from nine out of 13 European ties after losing the first leg by a score of 1-0, their overall record in two-legged ties is less favorable, with 11 of their last 16 UEFA knockout eliminations occurring after an away first-leg defeat.

Although Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk maintains that Liverpool should still be seen as favorites to advance, the Turkish club finds itself in a strong position to make it to the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since the 2012-13 season.

Cimbom, who ended the League Phase in 20th position before defeating Juventus in the knockout round playoffs, should feel optimistic ahead of Wednesday’s match, as they have triumphed in 14 of their last 17 two-legged ties in UEFA competitions after winning the first match at home.

However, their away record in Europe raises concerns, as they have suffered defeats in 19 of their past 23 matches on the road in the Champions League proper (W2 D2) and have secured victory in just one of their last 12 away games in England (D3 L8), which was a 3-2 win over Man United in the 2023-24 Champions League group stage.

Galatasaray has had issues with defensive consistency on the European stage for quite some time, managing only three clean sheets in their last 33 games in UEFA competitions. However, they had two of those shutouts against Liverpool this season.

Buruk’s side has not conceded in any of their last three matches across all tournaments, including a 3-0 home victory over Istanbul Basaksehir in the Turkish Super Lig last weekend. This win has extended the reigning champions’ lead at the top to seven points with ten games remaining.

Team News

Liverpool continues to struggle without their record signing Alexander Isak (leg), along with Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley (both knee), and Wataru Endo (ankle), all of whom are still recovering from long-term injuries.

Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Ibrahima Konate started last weekend as substitutes but are expected to return to the starting lineup against Galatasaray, putting teenage talent Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo, and Joe Gomez at risk of being benched.

Gakpo may revert to his preferred left-wing position, although playmaker Florian Wirtz might be favored on the flank, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool’s leading scorer in the Champions League with four goals this season, to remain in the number 10 role.

On the Galatasaray side, Enes Buyuk is out due to a shoulder injury, while Metehan Baltaci, Gokdeniz Gurpuz, and Renato Nhaga are unavailable after being excluded from the club’s Champions League squad.

Abdulkerim Bardakci and Ismail Jakobs are likely to return to the defense alongside Wilfried Singo and Davinson Sanchez, with Roland Sallai and Eren Elmali making way, while Buruk must decide whether to start Yunus Akgun, Lemina, or former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gudoan in central midfield.

Victor Osimhen is Galatasaray’s leading scorer this season with 19 goals across all competitions, including seven in the Champions League, and he may be supported in attack by Baris Alper Yılmaz and Noa Lang, with Leroy Sane potentially finding himself on the bench.

Liverpool probable starting XI:

Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekiti

Galatasaray probable starting XI:

Chakir; Singo, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jacobs; Torreira, Lemina; Yilmaz, Sarah, Lang; Osimhen

While Galatasaray’s away performances in Europe are concerning, their two victories over Liverpool without conceding this season should instill significant confidence, and an upset at Anfield against a struggling Reds side should not be overlooked.

That being said, we anticipate that Slot’s team will rebound from their recent challenges and find a way to secure a narrow aggregate victory, potentially winning in extra time to advance to the quarter-finals.