Galatasaray vs Liverpool preview: A tough challenge in Istanbul awaits the Premier League champions

Liverpool returns to European action with a trip to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray in the Champions League tonight.

The Reds suffered their first defeat of the season against Crystal Palace to a stoppage-time Eddie Nketiah winner.

They secured their first UCL win against Atletico Madrid courtesy of captain Virgil van Dijk’s late powerful header.

Galatasaray were victorious last time out against Alanyaspor, as Mauro Icardi’s lone strike won it for the Lions.

The Turkish champions’ European campaign began with a humiliating 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt, leaving them bottom of the league phase table.

Match preview

Galatasaray and Liverpool each have one win from their four previous clashes. However, the Reds have a draw and a defeat from the two meetings in Turkey.

The Reds need one goal to reach 300 as the away team in all European fixtures.

Galatasaray have lost only three of their last 19 games at home in Europe.

However, they have not won any of their last seven matches in European competition (four draws and three defeats).

Premier League champions have won six of their last seven away matches in Europe.

Liverpool have won only once before against a Turkish team in Türkiye, a 2-1 victory over Trabzonspor in a Europa League play-off tie in 2010/11 under Roy Hodgson.

They will also be seeking their first clean sheets in Türkiye.

Okay, Buruk’s men are unbeaten in their last three games against English opponents in European competition, beating both Manchester United (3-2) and Tottenham Hotspur (3-2) in the UEFA Europa League in the last two campaigns.

Team news

Galatasaray

The hosts are boosted by the return of star striker Victor Osimhen, who is in contention for his first start since August.

However, they will be without key right-back Sacha Boey due to a muscle problem, while influential midfielder Lucas Torreira is a doubt for the match.

Liverpool

Arne Slot has a near full-strength squad for the trip to Istanbul, with Federico Chiesa, who replaced the ACL-torn Giovanni Leoni, as the only confirmed absentee.

Hugo Ekitike returns from a domestic suspension and is expected to lead the line, while Mohamed Salah is just two goals shy of his 50th in the competition.

Predicted line-ups

Galatasaray: Ugurcan Çakir, Roland Sallai, Abdülkerim Bardakci, Davinson Sánchez, Eren Elmali, Lucas Torreira, Ilkay Gündogan, Baris Alper Yilmaz, Leroy Sané, Yunus Akgün, Mauro Icardi.

Liverpool: Alisson, Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitiké.