Preview: Galatasaray vs Liverpool - prediction, team news, lineups

Liverpool's Champions League campaign continues on Tuesday against Galatasaray, with RAMS Park the staging ground for the first leg of their round of 16 tie.

The Reds are sixth in the Premier League, but they will take confidence from their third-placed finish in the Champions League's league phase, though their hosts already won 1-0 against the Merseysiders in September 2025 and will be challenging opponents.

Match preview

Galatasaray had to navigate a playoff round against Juventus in order to advance into the knockouts, and though they won 7-5 on aggregate, they were taken to extra time in late February after Juve took a 3-0 lead despite playing with 10 men for the majority of the second half.

Perhaps the biggest hindrance for the Turkish outfit in their tie against Liverpool is that they will not be able to bring any supporters into Anfield for the second leg after crowd disturbances against Juve, which will make securing a positive result on Tuesday even more important.

Cimbom benefitted from Dominik Szoboszlai's handball when they met the Reds in the league phase, but while their penalty goal was arguably fortuitous, they prevented their opponents from creating many meaningful chances and were deserving winners.

Boss Okan Buruk will hope to earn a fourth consecutive victory in all competitions, and a win against the Merseysiders would be their sixth in a row at home.

Galatasaray have scored at least three goals in eight of their last 13 matches at RAMS Park in Europe, though they have only kept one clean sheet in their past eight fixtures at the stadium.

Liverpool arrive at RAMS Park having played Wolverhampton Wanderers twice, losing 2-1 in the Premier League on March 3 before winning 3-1 in the FA Cup on Friday.

Defeat against Wolves in the league was the only time in six matches that the club failed to claim victory, but Arne Slot's side performed poorly in a number of those wins.

The Reds have conceded more goals in their three most recent games (five) than they did in their prior six matches (three), though they have netted three or more goals in three of their five most recent clashes.

Liverpool deserve credit for their away performances in the Champions League this campaign considering they have only conceded twice in their four fixtures on the road in the competition, finding the back of the net on nine occasions.

While the visitors have the quality to take a first-leg lead, their history against Galatasaray has been poor given they have lost three, drawn two and won just one of their six meetings with the Turkish side.

Galatasaray Champions League form:

Galatasaray form (all competitions):

Liverpool Champions League form:

Liverpool form (all competitions):

Team News

Galatasaray boss Buruk has indicated that he intends to field a physical side capable of disrupting Liverpool's defence, and striker Victor Osimhen will be key for the hosts in that regard.

The striker is set to be supported by forwards Baris Yilmaz and Noa Lang, while former Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira could line up alongside former Southampton and Wolves star Mario Lemina.

As for Liverpool, though they are dealing with injuries to several players, only Alexander Isak and Conor Bradley would have a case to be considered starters.

The former's void will be filled by centre-forward Hugo Ekitike, while the latter's place in the XI is set to be taken by Jeremie Frimpong.

There has been significant criticisms of left-winger Cody Gakpo, but though teenager Rio Ngumoha impressed on Friday, Florian Wirtz could be shifted out wide in order to accommodate Dominik Szoboszlai as a number 10.

Galatasaray possible starting lineup:

Cakir; Sallai, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Yilmaz, Akgun, Lang; Osimhen

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike

We say: Galatasaray 1-1 Liverpool

Galatasaray have already proven that they can cause European giants problems, and after beating the visitors in the league phase of the Champions League, they will be confident on Tuesday.

While Liverpool's performances have been mixed of late, their displays on the road in Europe have been strong, and they should have enough to head back to Anfield having avoided defeat.

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