Liverpool vs Galatasaray Preview: Team News & Prediction | 2025-26 UEFA Champions League | Round of 16
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Liverpool need to come from behind in the second-leg of this UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie against an inconsistent Galatasaray side at Anfield.
Kick-off date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – TNT Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – discovery+ / USA – Paramount+
Liverpool preview: Under pressure Slot
Arne Slot is once again under pressure in charge of Liverpool with the Reds come into this one on the back of a 1-1 draw with relegation-threatened Tottenham Hotspur, hurting them in the push for the top five and UEFA Champions League qualification.
The Reds have been playing poorly for the vast majority of the campaign. They do have an FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City coming up but their season is becoming more and more narrowed down to European football.
Galatasaray preview: Tough on the road for Gala
Galatasaray have been extremely impressive when at home in the UEFA Champions League this season, as was the case in their two 1-0 victories against Liverpool this season, the second of which being in the first-leg of this tie last week.
The Turks have struggled on the road and the best example came in the knockout playoffs. They defeated Juventus 5-2 at home before being taken to extra-time in Turin and that will be a concern as they travel to Merseyside.
Liverpool team news: Changes to be made
Arne Slot more or less rotated against Spurs at the weekend, dealing a blow to their top five hopes, but Mohamed Salah is expected to come back into the eleven here among others.
Milos Kerkez was also rested against Spurs with Andrew Robertson starting. Dominik Szoboszlai started at right-back but the Hungarian will be expected to play further forward here.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike
Unavailable: Leoni (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Endo (Injured), Isak (Injured)
Questionable:
Galatasaray team news: Sanchez suspended
Colombia international centre-back Davinson Sanchez is unavailable for Galatasaray this weekend as he is missing through suspension, which poses a dilemma with a lack of depth in that position.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see Wilfried Singo move into a centre-back role with Sacha Boey playing at right-back, rather than defensive midfielder Kaan Ayhan dropping into the defence.
Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Boey, Singo, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Yilmaz, Sara, Lang; Osimhen
Unavailable: Sanchez (Suspended)
Questionable:
Liverpool vs Galatasaray prediction
Galatasaray have suffered defeats to Juventus, Manchester City, Eintracht Frankfurt and Monaco in their four games on the road in this competition this season. Liverpool will be expected to turn this around in the second-leg in front of Anfield, with all of the history of their famous European nights. This is a much more fallible version of Liverpool, though. Galatasaray may ensure it is closer than many think but Liverpool do have to remain favourites.
Liverpool vs Galatasaray Tip: Liverpool to win & under 3.5 goals
