It's another trip to Turkey for the Reds this Tuesday, as European football returns. 

Liverpool have been here before, literally, having played Galatasaray at the Rams Park in September, in a weak 1-0 loss to the Süper Lig champions.

Match Preview

Credit: Outlook India

Liverpool have performed better in Europe overall compared to their league performance - finishing third in the league phase, after noticeable wins against Real and Atletico Madrid.  But to get a result, Liverpool will have to overcome both Gala's forbiddable defence, but also the ferocious home fans - both of which contributed to a lackluster night in game week 2.

For the Turkish giants, who swept aside Juventus 5-7 on aggregate in the Play Off round, they will be looking for more of the same, likely playing a low block that Liverpool have had real trouble breaking down throughout Arne Slot's time at the club. 

As it's a two legged afair, naturally Liverpool will have the chance to over turn any result in the second leg 18th March at Anfield. However, they must not let the game get away from them, or at least let Galatasary ‘in’ - something the Reds have made a habit of this season, notably against Wolves in the league last week. 

Along with the FA Cup, the Champions League represents the only way Liverpool can salvage anything from an extremely disappointed season, so a result against Galatasary, either on the night or over the two legs, is a must. 

Team News

Credit: BBC

In terms of injuries, Galatasary are at full strength - with only Enes Emre Büyük, Arda Ünyay, and Batuhan Şen likely to be absent - Büyùk and Şen are both goalkeepers and Ünyay has only played 12 times across all competitions, so none of them were likely to play, even if fit. 

For Liverpool the news on Monday is that Alisson Becker is definitely out, having been injured in training, and will not fly with the team to Istanbul. 

In better news, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong both played against Wolves on Friday, and took part in an open training session on Monday morning, along with Alexis Mac Allister - who had gone off late against Wolves, and there was some concerns over an injury, but looks ready to play. 

There is no other major injury news, with Alexander Isak, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley all definitely out. 

Predicted XI: 

Galatasary: Çakir, Singo, Sánchez, Bardakci, Jakobs, Torreira, Lemina, Akgün, Gündogan, Yilmaz, Osimhen. 

Liverpool: Mamardashvili, Robertson, Van Dijk, Konate, Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Ngumoha, Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike. 

Pre-Match Thoughts