Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 73/20
Bookmaker: BetUS
Liverpool must respond in the Champions League on Tuesday when they visit Galatasaray at RAMS Park, having fallen to Crystal Palace in the Premier League at the weekend.
Their hosts were themselves humbled in Europe last time out, losing 5-1 away to Eintracht Frankfurt on September 18, while the Reds edged Atletico Madrid 3-2 a day earlier at Anfield.
Galatasaray
Galatasaray struck first against Frankfurt but trailed 3-1 by half-time and ultimately suffered a heavy defeat, leaving them second from bottom in the early Champions League standings.
Yet Okan Buruk’s men boast an impressive habit of making fast starts, having opened the scoring in each of their last 19 fixtures.
Cimbom also carry confidence from their home form, scoring at least twice in nine of their last 11 European matches in Istanbul. Their defeat in Germany remains their only blemish this season, with seven wins from eight in all competitions putting them six points clear of rivals Fenerbahce domestically.
At RAMS Park, Galatasaray have been flawless, winning all three games so far with nine goals scored and only two conceded.
Team News
The hosts’ lineup is set to feature names Liverpool are very familiar with, like former Manchester City pair Ilkay Gundogan and Leroy Sane in midfield and attack.
Striker Victor Osimhen returned from injury on September 26 and could make his first start since August 30, providing a major boost up front at a crucial moment.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s 2-1 reverse at Selhurst Park was concerning, as they allowed Palace seven clear-cut chances and could easily have been several goals down by the break. Defensive instability has been a theme under Arne Slot, with the Reds conceding two goals in half of their eight matches this season while keeping only two clean sheets.
Going forward, however, they have been far more reliable, scoring at least twice in five games so far. Their dramatic victory over Atletico Madrid highlighted both strengths and weaknesses: an electric two-goal start, dominance throughout, yet reliance on Virgil van Dijk’s stoppage-time strike to secure the points.
The Palace loss was their first of the campaign, but their previous six wins all came by narrow margins, needing last-gasp goals to clinch the points.
Liverpool have drawn just one of their last 39 away games in UEFA competitions, winning 25 times. That may give the Merseysiders some confidence ahead of this match, but they might find Galatasaray a tough nut to crack.
Team News
Quite apart from Giovanni Leoni, whose season is over due to an ACL injury, Federico Chiesa might’ve hoped for a start after several impactful performances off the bench, but the Italian winger has a minor injury problem and will not travel to Istanbul.
Defender Ibrahima Konate and midfielder Alexis Mac Allister have been struggling for form lately, which might prompt Slot to give Joe Gomez and Curtis Jones a chance instead.
Up front, Alexander Isak isn’t very likely to be ready to start only three days after the Crystal Palace match, and Hugo Ekitike should return to the starting XI after missing the Selhurst Park defeat through suspension.
Conclusion
Liverpool should have little difficulty carving out opportunities in Istanbul, but doubts linger over their ability to prevent the hosts from doing so as well.
If Osimhen finds top form, he could expose those weaknesses, and Slot may ultimately have to be content with just a draw, even if most bookmaker do see his team as clear favourites.
Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 73/20
Bookmaker: BetUS
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