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Gala are in pole position to win a fourth consecutive Turkish Super Lig title, but they will no doubt have ambitions of continental glory too after an outstanding win over Juventus in the play-off round of the Champions League.
They showed how dangerous they are by opening up a 5-2 lead over the Italians at RAMS Park, before suffering a 3-0 defeat through 90 minutes in Turin. However, extra-time goals from Victor Osimhen and Baris Yilmaz took the Turks through.
Istanbul is a city that conjures up special memories for Liverpool fans – they’ll never forget the ‘Miracle of Istanbul’, where they overcame a three-goal deficit at half-time to win the 2005 Champions League final against an all-star AC Milan.
The Reds have looked a shadow of the side that powered to the Premier League title last term, with their 1-2 defeat at Wolves on Tuesday symptomatic of their woes. At least they gained a semblance of revenge on the Midlanders by winning 3-1 in the FA Cup on Friday.
So could a deep run in the Champions League – and a repeat of the 2005 final in this Turkish city – be the best medicine?
Galatasaray v Liverpool key information
• Date: Tuesday, 10 March
• Kick-off time: 5:45pm GMT
• Venue: RAMS Park, Istanbul
• Referee: N/A
• VAR: N/A
• TV channels: TNT Sports (UK)
• Streaming: bet365
• Odds: GALA (31/10) - DRAW 29/10 - LIV (3/4)
Galatasaray team news
At the time of writing, it would appear that Galatasaray will have a pretty much clean bill of health on Tuesday.
Metehan Baltaci is suspended due to his involvement in the gambling scandal that has engulfed Turkish football, while Enes Emre Buyuk has been battling a shoulder injury – neither of those players would be considered first-team regulars, anyway.
All of which means that Okan Buruk will have a full deck to select from as he plots another famous night of European football at RAMS Park.
Galatasaray predicted lineup v Liverpool, (4-3-3)
Coach: Okan Buruk
Cakir; Sallai, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Sara, Torreira, Lemina; Lang, Yilmaz, Osimhen.
Liverpool team news
Arne Slot will definitely be without Alexander Isak and Wataru Endo, who are both on the long-term injury list, while Florian Wirtz has been struggling with a back problem – he is rated at 50/50 to be involved in Istanbul.
There is a sense that Slot still doesn’t quite know his best starting eleven, with Dominik Szoboszlai pushed forward in Wirtz’s absence against Wolves in the Premier League and Jeremie Frimpong deputising at right back.
Ryan Gravenberch was substituted at half-time against Wolves on Tuesday, but that wasn’t thought to be injury-related – he should be fit to start in midfield against Gala.
Liverpool predicted lineup v Galatasaray, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Arne Slot
Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Where to watch on TV or live stream
This crunch clash will be shown live on TNT Sports 1, which is available via your Discovery+, Sky, Virgin Media, BT or EE subscription package.
You can also stream the action live via the Discovery+ app.
Head-to-head record
Fans won’t have to think back too far for the last time that Galatasaray and Liverpool clashed in the Champions League.
That meeting came at RAMS Park in September 2025, when the Turkish champions ran out 1-0 victors on home soil. Szoboszlai was adjudged to have fouled Yilmaz in the 15th minute, before Osimhem stepped up to take the penalty and score what would prove to be the winning goal.
That was a controversial game of multiple VAR checks, and you may also recall Slot made the headlines for dropping Salah from his starting 11.
Before that 2025 date, these two teams had met on four occasions between 2002 and 2006. The first two ended in draws, while the latter pair of games – played in the Champions League group phase in 2006/07 – both ended 3-2, with Galatasaray and Liverpool both claiming victory on home soil. We expect this tie to be equally as tight.
Odds for Galatasaray v Liverpool
Liverpool are favourites at 3/4 on bet365. A draw is at 29/10, with a Galatasaray win at 31/10.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.