Galatasaray vs Liverpool Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Round of 16
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In a repeat of a league phase game, Liverpool return to the city of their 2005 European glory, Istanbul, with the Reds facing Galatasaray in an intriguing clash.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / US – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / US – Paramount+
Galatasaray preview: Strong Gala
Galatasaray have produced some impressive performances and victories this season, perhaps none more notable than their 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the league phase - but the Turks' Jekyll and Hyde nature still serves as a frustration for their fans.
An example of that came in the knockout playoff round last month as they came from behind to hammer Juventus 5-2 at home before then being taken to extra-time in Turin, only for Victor Osimhen and Baris Alper Yilmaz to eventually secure their progression.
Liverpool preview: Up for the cups
Liverpool have endured a very difficult campaign, both on and off the pitch, but, at the business end of it now, Arne Slot has his sights set on a couple of pieces of silverware to add to their 20th league title last season.
The Reds moved into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup at the weekend with a 3-1 defeat of Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, just a few days after having been beaten by the basement club in the Premier League.
Galatasaray team news: Fully fit stars
The star studded and recognisable squad of the hosts is fully fit and available for this one, with Sacha Boey, Leroy Sane and Mauro Icardi having all overcome recent injury issues.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Boey, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Ayhan, Lemina; Sane, Sara, Yilmaz; Osimhen
Unavailable:
Questionable:
Liverpool team news: Alisson ruled out
Slot will be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson after the Brazilian suffered an injury in training, so expect Giorgi Mamardashvili to deputise between the posts for the Reds.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenbech; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike
Unavailable: Alisson (Injured), Leoni (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Endo (Injured), Bajcetic (Injured), Isak (Injured)
Questionable: Danns (Fitness)
Galatasaray vs Liverpool prediction
Liverpool have proven themselves capable of being beaten in high-scoring and entertaining contests, as well as, as was the case in this game in the autumn, stodgy and fairly tedious affairs. These are two inconsistent sides but, over two legs, Gala may well believe the best chance to edge through is to simply go all out and attempt to out score their opposition - and that should lead to quite a good watch for the neutral, especially in this first-leg.
Galatasaray vs Liverpool Tip: Both teams to score
