Liverpool head to Turkey to take on Galatasaray in the second week of the UEFA Champions League.
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The UEFA Champions League is into its second gameweek and throws up this intriguing tie between Galatasaray and Liverpool.
Liverpool won in characteristically dramatic style, with a 92nd-minute Virgil van Dijk header, securing a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid. Whilst they were disappointed to let a two-goal lead slip, getting three points on the board was the most important thing for the Reds, and now they head to Turkey to face a Galatasaray side who have only lost once so far this season.
The team from Istanbul have started their league season on fire. They have won every game in the league; however, they faced a humbling defeat last time out in the Champions League. Despite going 1-0 up against Eintracht Frankfurt, they were convincingly beaten 5-1 in the end, sending the Lions home without anything to show for their efforts.
Now these two teams meet for the first time in the competition in almost 20 years, both hoping to take home the three points.
Galatasaray vs Liverpool key information
• Date: Tuesday, September 30
• Kick-off time: 8pm BST
• Venue: RAMS Park, Istanbul
• Referee: Clément Turpin
• VAR: Jérôme Brisard
• TV channels: Amazon Prime Video
• Odds: GS (4/1) - DRAW (7/2) - LIV (4/7)
Galatasaray team news
Whilst there are no major injury concerns for Galatasaray, the team are cautious over their talismanic striker Victor Osimhen. The Nigerian striker returned to action over the weekend after suffering an injury on international duty, missing three games for the Lions
Manager, Okan Buruk, said that he wanted Osimhen to “play for 10 minutes” so that he can “experience the pain” since “playing through pain is important.” The manager went on to say, “We may have changed our formation and had trouble covering the opposition,” he said. “However, we’re taking these risks to ensure he plays.”
If Osimhen does not play, then Galatasaray will not be without options, having scored in every game this season thanks to the offensive output of Yunus Akgun, Mauro Icardi, Leroy Sane and Baris Alper Yilmaz.
Galatasaray predicted lineup vs Liverpool, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Okan Buruk
Cakir; Singo, Sanchez, Bardakci, Elmali; Torreira, Gabriel Sara; Sallai, Sane, Yilmaz; Icardi.
Liverpool team news
Arne Slot’s first team are without any major injury concerns. One player who has not travelled with the squad is Federico Chiesa. The Italian has been in fine form recently, with one goal and two assists in his last two games, but picked up a slight knock in the loss to Crystal Palace on the weekend.
News broke last week that Giovanni Leoni had suffered an ACL injury in the win against Southampton, ruling the 18-year-old out for the rest of the season. Slot will presumably then name a full-strength side for the trip to Istanbul.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Galatasaray, (4-2-3-1)
Coach: Arne Slot
Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Gakpo, Szoboszlai, Salah; Ekitike.
Where to watch on TV or live stream?
You can watch Galatasaray vs Liverpool live on Amazon Prime Video. Amazon Prime Video have the first pick of matches on Tuesday evenings and chose to stream this tie. You can sign up to Amazon Prime on the Amazon website and stream the match through the app, on your smart TV or through the aforementioned website.
Head-to-Head record
Both teams come into this match top of their respective leagues. Galatasaray have won all seven league matches this season, scoring 19 goals and only conceding two. The Champions League tie is the only blip on their record, but with Osimhen potentially back to play in this match, having missed the first, there is extra confidence in the team.
Liverpool suffered their first loss of the season on the weekend against Crystal Palace, winning all seven games before that. Whilst there have been questions over the defence, Liverpool’s knack of scoring goals has helped them see off teams like Arsenal, Everton, Atletico Madrid and Newcastle.
Now these teams meet again in a European competition, the fifth time in their histories, but the first since December 2006. The head-to-head record has one win each for the teams; however, Galatasaray did win that last meeting 3-2.
Odds for Galatasaray vs Liverpool
Liverpool are the favourites to win this Champions League game. Bet365 have them at 4/7 to win the game, whereas they have Galatasaray at 4/1. A draw between the two is at 7/2.
Odds correct at time of writing, subject to change.