Liverpool host Galatasaray at Anfield on Wednesday night, looking to overturn a one-goal deficit to secure a place in the Champions League quarter-finals.
The Reds head into this critical second leg after a disappointing 1–1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, which left them fifth in the Premier League. In their earlier match against Galatasaray, Liverpool lost 1–0 at home.
Despite recent struggles, Liverpool has a strong home record against Turkish teams, winning five of their last six matches and keeping five clean sheets. Historically, they have advanced from nine of their 13 European ties after losing the first leg 1–0.
Galatasaray comes to Merseyside in a strong position, aiming to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2013. They enter the match with solid domestic form, winning their last five games, including a 3–0 win against Istanbul Basaksehir over the weekend.
Galatasaray has proven capable of stifling Liverpool’s attack, recording two clean sheets in their last three matches against the Reds this season. However, their record in England is concerning, with just one win in 12 previous away games.
Liverpool vs Galatasaray – Match preview and team news
- Date: Wednesday, 18 March 2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
- Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
- Referee: Szymon Marciniak
- VAR: Marco Di Bello
- Last Meeting: Galatasaray 1–0 Liverpool (10 March 2026, UCL)
Team News
Liverpool
Ibrahima Konaté is fit and ready to start after missing the weekend’s draw due to hamstring issues. Joe Gomez, however, is doubtful as he was unable to train on Tuesday.
Liverpool will also miss their club-record signing Alexander Isak along with Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, and Giovanni Leoni. Mohamed Salah is on the brink of becoming the first African player to score 50 Champions League goals.
Galatasaray
The visitors will be without suspended defender Davinson Sánchez, and Enes Buyuk is sidelined with a shoulder injury. Abdulkerim Bardakci and Ismail Jakobs are expected to return to the lineup.
Victor Osimhen, who has seven goals in nine European games this season, is close to becoming the most productive Nigerian player in Champions League history.
Form
Liverpool
Liverpool approaches this match having won only one of their last four games overall, making it more a test of nerves than skill. The return of goalkeeper Alisson Becker is a significant boost for a defense that has recently struggled. Notably, no match in Liverpool’s last 30 Champions League games has ended in a draw, with the Reds securing 21 wins.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray is in fantastic form, with five consecutive wins and three clean sheets. Despite their domestic success, they have a poor away record in Europe, losing 20 of their last 25 Champions League matches away from home.
They have not drawn any of their last 14 matches, emphasizing their win-or-lose approach under Okan Buruk.
Predicted Lineups
Liverpool Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike
Galatasaray Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Cakir; Sallai, Singo, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Yilmaz, Sara, Lang; Osimhen
How to Watch Liverpool vs Galatasaray?
The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports, with coverage starting before the 20:00 kick-off.
Read more- The biggest comebacks in Champions League history
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