Liverpool head to Istanbul looking to put history aside as they face Galatasaray in a high-stakes Champions League Group Stage showdown. The Reds have struggled in past visits to Turkey, while Galatasaray are unbeaten in their last three European matches against English clubs. With both sides desperate to assert themselves early in the group, expect a fiery night under the lights at Rams Park.
Matchday Talking Points
- Historic Balance – Galatasaray and Liverpool have met four times in European competition, with both sides managing one win and two draws. Their last meeting came in December 2006 when Galatasaray won 3-2 at home.
- Liverpool’s Away Struggles – The Reds are winless in their two previous trips to Galatasaray, losing 3-2 in 2006 and drawing 1-1 in 2002. Chelsea and Napoli are the only other clubs Liverpool have faced more often away from home without winning.
- Galatasaray vs English Teams – The Turkish champions are unbeaten in their last three European fixtures against English clubs, beating Manchester United and Tottenham in recent campaigns.
- Liverpool’s Group Stage Form – Klopp’s men have won 13 of their last 14 group-stage matches, scoring 56 goals since 2020. Their only loss came against Atalanta.
- Galatasaray’s Slow Starts – Despite their strong recent record, Galatasaray have only one win in their last 18 Champions League group games and haven’t avoided defeat in both opening matches of a campaign since 2012-13.
Predicted Score
Based on form and insights: Galatasaray 1-2 Liverpool.
Liverpool’s group-stage dominance should edge out Galatasaray, though history suggests it won’t come easy.
Lineups
Galatasaray (4-2-3-1)
GK: U. Çakır
DEF: W. Singo, D. Sánchez, A. Bardakcı, I. Jakobs
MID: M. Lemina, L. Torreira
ATT MID: Y. Akgün, İ. Gündoğan, B. A. Yılmaz
FWD: V. Osimhen
Liverpool (4-2-3-1)
GK: Alisson
DEF: M. Kerkez, V. van Dijk, I. Konaté, J. Frimpong
MID: C. Jones, R. Gravenberch
ATT MID: C. Gakpo, F. Wirtz, D. Szoboszlai
FWD: H. Ekitike
Substitutes
- Galatasaray: Metehan Baltacı, Roland Sallai, Gabriel Sara, Mauro Icardi, Leroy Sané, Eren Elmalı, Berkan Kutlu, Günay Güvenç, Ahmed Kutucu, Kaan Ayhan, Yusuf Demir, Arda Ünay
- Liverpool: Joe Gomez, Wataru Endō, Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, Conor Bradley, Giorgi Mamardashvili, Andrew Robertson, Freddie Woodman, Rio Ngumoha
Managers
- Galatasaray: O. Buruk
- Liverpool: A. Slot
Venue: Rams Park
Venue
Rams Park, Istanbul
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