The Turkish side were beaten 5-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt on September 18, while Liverpool edged Atletico Madrid 3-2 at Anfield the day before. Galatasaray actually struck first in that match against Frankfurt, scoring in the eighth minute, but they trailed 3-1 by half-time and now sit near the bottom of the Champions League standings in 35th place.
Even so, they have shown a consistent ability to start quickly, having opened the scoring in each of their last 19 matches. Manager Okan Buruk will take confidence from their record at home in Europe, where they have scored at least twice in nine of their last 11 games.
Despite the setback against Frankfurt, Galatasaray have enjoyed a strong season overall. They have won seven of their eight matches and sit six points clear of Fenerbahce in the Turkish Super Lig. At home, they have been perfect with three wins out of three, scoring nine goals and conceding only twice.
Liverpool’s defeat to Crystal Palace was troubling. Palace created seven clear chances and could easily have been three or four goals up by half-time. Defensively, Liverpool have struggled this season, conceding two goals in four of their eight games and keeping only two clean sheets. In attack, however, they have been much more effective, scoring at least twice in five of those fixtures.
Their victory over Atletico Madrid summed up their season so far. Liverpool stormed into a two-goal lead within six minutes, but after allowing Atletico back into the game, they needed Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time header to secure the result.
The loss to Palace was Liverpool’s first of the season, yet even their victories have often been narrow, with each of their last six wins decided by a single goal. In Europe, they are rarely content with a draw. Over their last 39 away games in UEFA competition, Liverpool have drawn just once while winning 25 times.
INJURIES & SUSPENSION
Galatasaray are expected to field several familiar names, with former Manchester City pair Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane both likely to start. Striker Victor Osimhen returned from injury on September 26 and will be pushing to make his first start for the club since August 30.Liverpool’s only injury concern is centre-back Giovanni Leoni. Ibrahima Konate has been struggling for form, which could open the door for Joe Gomez to come into the defence. In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister has also been below his best, and Curtis Jones may be given the chance to start in his place.
Up front, Hugo Ekitike is available again after missing the weekend defeat to Crystal Palace through suspension. With Alexander Isak unlikely to feature in two games in the space of four days, Ekitike is expected to lead the line.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Galatasaray possible starting lineup:Cakir; Sallai, Singo, Sanchez, Elmali; Torreira, Lemina; Sane, Gundogan, Akgun; Osimhen
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Frimpong, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Gakpo, Wirtz, Salah; Ekitike
EXPERT PREDICTION
Galatasaray 3-3 Liverpool
