Liverpool v Galatasaray: Line-ups, stats and preview for Champions League clash

Arne Slot is confident the Liverpool fans will roar their side to victory against Galatasaray tomorrow night.

The Reds host the Turkish giants in the second leg of their Champions League, round-of-16 tie still smarting from the draw against Tottenham on Sunday.

Liverpool seemed on course to record a much-needed win in their quest to finish in the top four only to be stunned by Richarlison’s late equaliser that handed Spurs a 1-1 draw.

The final whistle was greeted with a smattering of boos from frustrated supporters but Slot has no doubt Anfield will be right behind his players against Gala, a team that has beaten Liverpool twice this season.

He said: ”It’s difficult because we have played twice against them and lost twice against them. The good thing for us is that it is the first game we play at home [against them] and we have the support of our fans, who will be supportive again tomorrow night because that is what they have always been and will always be for this club.”

Sunday’s performance drew criticism from Jamie Carragher with the club’s former defender, who is now a TV pundit, questioning the team’s desire.

Slot was having none of that view.

“I agree with Jamie on many things he has said this season,” said Slot. “I disagree with him about this.

“What I liked after we conceded the 1-1 was immediately the commitment they [the players] have. They sprinted back in a counter-attack moment with seven or eight players to make sure we didn’t concede again to make it 2-1 and a moment later they sprinted forward with five, six or seven to help.

“So that tells you they are willing to fight, which they have done this whole season and as long as I’ve been here. There haven’t been many games where we have been outworked or where we haven’t created more chances than the other team have created.

“So our players will show that mentality again that they showed after the 1-1 and I am 100% sure that our fans will be like they always are on other European nights.”

Slot has struggled to stamp his authority on Liverpool like he did in his first season, in which the club won the Premier League title.

That has inevitably led to increased scrutiny around his position but veteran full-back Andy Robertson has been impressed by the Dutchman’s demeanour despite the problems he’s faced.

“He’s stayed calm and tried to find the answers,” said Scotland left-back Robertson. “We’ve all tried to help him and we are all pushing in the same direction. 

“Obviously the pressure is a bit bigger on all of us at the moment because the results have not been there. You have to perform and get the results and when you don’t the scrutiny is bigger. He has obviously faced a lot more scrutiny than last year and so have us as players. It’s up to us to stand up to that. We are all good enough to be at Liverpool and it’s up to us to show that. If we do, I am sure we can turn the tide back towards the way we want it to go.”

Gala have won their last five games in all competitions with the weekend victory over Istanbul Basaksehir moving them seven points clear at the summit and within touching distance of their fourth successive Super Lig title.

Team news for Liverpool v Galatasaray

Predicted line-ups for Liverpool v Galatasaray

Liverpool: Alisson; Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konaté, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitiké

Galatasaray: Uğurcan Çakır; Boey, Singo, Abdülkerim Bardakcı, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Barış Alper Yılmaz, Gabriel Sara, Lang; Osimhen

Where to watch Liverpool v Galatasaray: TV and online streams

Liverpool versus Galatasaray kicks off tomorrow night at 8pm. You can watch it on TNT Sports and stream via the discovery+ app.

To watch elsewhere in the world, click HERE to find your local rights holder.

Stats for Liverpool v Galatasaray

• Liverpool have reached the Champions League round of 16 in eight of the last nine seasons, but they have lost their last two ties at this stage. Galatasaray are targeting a first quarter-final appearance since 2012/13. 
• Galatasaray have won two and lost two of their four previous European two-legged ties against English opposition, while Liverpool have triumphed in two and suffered defeat in one of their three such ties against Turkish teams.
• The Reds have lost 11 of their last 16 European two-legged ties in which they were beaten away from home in the first leg. Their overall record after a 1-0 first-leg away defeat is nine wins from 13 ties.
• Liverpool have won 15 of their last 19 European matches at Anfield, but did lose the other four. They have won five of their six previous European home matches against Turkish opposition (D1), keeping clean sheets in five of those six games.
• Galatasaray have won only one of their 12 previous European away matches against English teams (D3 L8), their sole victory a 3-2 win at Manchester United in the 2023/24 Champions League group stage.
• Galatasaray have won 14 of their 17 previous European two-legged ties after winning the first leg at home, but they have lost two of the last three when their first-leg advantage was only a single goal.
• The Turkish side have kept only three clean sheets in their last 33 European matches – but two of those have come against Liverpool.

Prediction for Liverpool v Galatasaray