Galatasaray vs Liverpool: Champions League Clash Preview

Istanbul, March 10: Arne Slot leads Liverpool back to the challenging atmosphere of RAMS Park on Tuesday evening, aiming to secure a first-leg advantage in their Champions League Round of 16 tie against Galatasaray, a team that has already frustrated them this season.

The visitors arrive in Istanbul with the goal of translating their European dominance into knockout success, following a high-octane league phase. However, their domestic form has been inconsistent, marked by a recent loss to the Premier League’s bottom club, followed by a rebound in the FA Cup. Despite this, the Merseysiders possess a clinical edge in European competitions.

Galatasaray has previously shown they can defeat Liverpool at home, and the passionate RAMS Park crowd will undoubtedly support them. Okan Buruk’s experienced squad aims to replicate their earlier success from matchday two.

Entering the knockout stage with high spirits, Galatasaray recently achieved a thrilling aggregate playoff victory over Juventus. The Turkish champions have turned their home ground into a fortress, remaining unbeaten in their last seven fixtures across all competitions.

Interestingly, Buruk manages the oldest average starting XI remaining in the tournament, relying heavily on veteran experience and the clinical form of Victor Osimhen. Their objective is to disrupt a Liverpool defense that has struggled with consistency recently.

Match Details

• Date: Tuesday, 10 March 2026
• Kick-off: 17:45 GMT
• Venue: RAMS Park, Istanbul
• Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano
• VAR: Guillermo Cuadra Fernández
• Last Meeting: Galatasaray 1–0 Liverpool (30 Sept 2025, UCL League Phase)

Team News

Galatasaray

Okan Buruk has nearly a full squad available, with only reserve keeper Enes Buyuk unavailable. Leroy Sané is eligible to play despite receiving a domestic red card against Beşiktaş. Victor Osimhen will lead the attack, supported by a robust midfield featuring Lucas Torreira and Mario Lemina.

Liverpool

Arne Slot faces a significant goalkeeper crisis after Alisson Becker suffered a training injury on Monday. The Brazilian did not travel to Turkey, leaving Giorgi Mamardashvili likely to start. Federico Chiesa also remained in Merseyside due to illness. While Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konaté are available, Slot is still without long-term absentees Alexander Isak, Stefan Bajcetic, and Conor Bradley.

Form

Galatasaray

The hosts have won their last three matches across all competitions and are unbeaten in their last seven at RAMS Park. Galatasaray is the oldest side remaining in this season’s competition, with an average age of 28 years and 273 days. They have only lost two of their 22 home matches in European Cup/UCL knockout stages and remain unbeaten in their last 10 at this stage. Victor Osimhen has been a standout, netting seven goals in eight Champions League appearances this season.

Liverpool

Liverpool’s Champions League form has been impressive, scoring nine goals and conceding just two in their four away matches this campaign. However, historical data serves as a warning; the Reds have won only one of five previous UCL meetings with Galatasaray, yielding a 20% win rate, their joint-lowest against any team faced five or more times.

The Reds have never won in three previous away games at Galatasaray, while Dominik Szoboszlai has been the creative force, involved in eight goals in the competition this term. Arne Slot will oversee his 100th game for Liverpool tonight, aiming to set a club record for wins in his first century.

Predicted Lineups

Galatasaray Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Sallai, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Yilmaz, Akgun, Lang; Osimhen

Liverpool Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike

How to Watch Galatasaray vs Liverpool?

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 17:00 GMT.