Liverpool vs Galatasaray Champions League preview, team news and prediction

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Looking to overturn a one-goal deficit from the first leg, six-time European champions Liverpool welcome Galatasaray to Anfield for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on Wednesday night.

Liverpool suffered a 1-0 defeat in Istanbul last week, with Mario Lemina scoring early for Galatasaray—the same result as their League Phase loss at the same venue six months ago. Manager Arne Slot, who was unable to mark his 100th game in charge with a win, remains confident his side can improve at Anfield and hopes the home crowd will match the intensity of the Turkish fans.

The Reds, who were eliminated at this stage by Paris Saint-Germain last season, are under pressure after winning just one of their last four matches in all competitions. Their Premier League top-four hopes also took a hit with a 1-1 draw against Tottenham on Sunday, leaving them fifth in the table.

Liverpool can take heart from their strong home European record, winning 15 of their last 19 UEFA games at Anfield and keeping five clean sheets in their last six home matches against Turkish opponents. Historically, they have progressed from nine of 13 European ties after losing the first leg 1-0 away, though they have been knocked out in 11 of their last 16 UEFA knockout ties when losing the first leg on the road.

Galatasaray, meanwhile, are aiming to reach the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since 2012-13. After finishing 20th in the League Phase and beating Juventus in the playoffs, they have won 14 of their last 17 two-legged UEFA ties after winning the home first leg. However, their away record in Europe is poor, with 19 losses in their last 23 Champions League away games and just one win in their last 12 visits to England—a 3-2 victory over Manchester United earlier this season.

Defensively, Galatasaray have struggled in Europe, keeping only three clean sheets in their last 33 UEFA matches—though two of those have come against Liverpool this season. They are currently on a run of three consecutive clean sheets in all competitions, including a 3-0 win over Istanbul Basaksehir that extended their lead at the top of the Turkish Super Lig to seven points with 10 games remaining.

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Liverpool remain without Alexander Isak (leg), Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley (both knee), and Wataru Endo (ankle) as they continue their recoveries from long-term injuries.

Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Ibrahima Konate, who all started on the bench last weekend, are expected to return to the starting XI against Galatasaray, likely replacing Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo, and Joe Gomez. Gakpo could shift back to his preferred left-wing position, but Florian Wirtz may be chosen out wide instead, allowing Dominik Szoboszlai—Liverpool’s top Champions League scorer this season with four goals—to keep his spot as the number 10.

For Galatasaray, Enes Buyuk remains out with a shoulder injury, while Metehan Baltaci, Gokdeniz Gurpuz, and Renato Nhaga are ineligible for the Champions League squad. Abdulkerim Bardakci and Ismail Jakobs are set to return to the defense, with Davinson Sanchez suspended. Manager Okan Buruk will decide whether Yunus Akgun, Mario Lemina, or Ilkay Gundogan starts in midfield.

Top scorer Victor Osimhen (19 goals, seven in the Champions League) is expected to lead the attack, potentially alongside Baris Alper Yilmaz and Noa Lang, which could see Leroy Sane start on the bench.

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