Overview
Arne Slot could not celebrate his 100th match leading Liverpool as expected in the first leg last week. However, he affirmed that the team could completely play better in the second leg and expects the atmosphere at Anfield to become passionate, similar to what Galatasaray created at home.
Last season, Liverpool was eliminated by Paris Saint-Germain in the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League. Continuing to stop in this stage for the second consecutive season will increase pressure on Slot, in the context that he has only won 1 in his last 4 matches in all competitions (1 draw, 2 losses).
Liverpool's ambition to enter the top 4 of the Premier League was also severely damaged when they dropped the victory, drawing 1-1 against Tottenham Hotspur. Richarlison's equalizer in the 90th minute caused The Kop to stagnate in 5th place, 2 points behind Aston Villa when the season is only 8 rounds left.
However, Anfield is still a big foothold as Liverpool have won 15/19 of their most recent home matches in UEFA tournaments. They have also won 5/6 of their receptions of Turkish representatives in Europe (1 draw), keeping a clean sheet in all 5 of those wins.
However, the results in the knockout round are very worrying for Liverpool, as they have been eliminated 11/16 times recently after losing the first leg away from home.
On the other side, Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk still assesses Liverpool as a bright candidate, but the Turkish team is holding a great advantage to enter the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time since the 2012-2013 season.
Galatasaray has reason to be confident when they won 14/17 matches in the last two legs at UEFA after winning the first leg at home. However, their away form in the Champions League is a clear weakness. Galatasaray lost 19/23 recent matches (2 wins, 2 draws) and only won 1/12 recent away matches in England - a 3-2 victory over Manchester United in the 2023-2024 season.
The defense is also a constant concern as Galatasaray has only kept a clean sheet in 3 of their last 33 matches in Europe. However, it is noteworthy that two of them came against Liverpool this season.
Currently, Buruk's team is in stable form when keeping a clean sheet in all 3 recent matches in all competitions. Including a 3-0 victory over Istanbul Basaksehir in the domestic league, thereby widening the lead gap to 7 points when the season is still 10 rounds.
Personnel situation
Liverpool continues to face a force problem when missing a series of key players. Record signing Alexander Isak has not yet been able to return due to a leg injury, while Giovanni Leoni, Conor Bradley (knee) and Wataru Endo (ankle) are all in the process of long-term recovery.
In the opposite direction, Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike and Ibrahima Konate were brought on from the bench last weekend and are likely to return to the starting lineup in the match against Galatasaray. Meanwhile, options such as Rio Ngumoha, Cody Gakpo and Joe Gomez may have to start on the bench.
On Galatasaray's side, Enes Buyuk is still absent due to shoulder injuries. Meanwhile, Metehan Baltaci, Gokdeniz Gurpuz and Renato Nhaga are not eligible to play because they are not on the Champions League registration list.
In defense, Abdulkerim Bardakci and Ismail Jakobs are likely to return to start, in the context of Davinson Sanchez being suspended. In midfield, Buruk will consider Yunus Akgun, Mario Lemina and former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan for a starting spot.
Expected lineup:
Alisson, Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike.
Cakir, Sallai, Singo, Bardakci, Jakobs, Torreira, Lemina, Yilmaz, Sara, Lang, Osimhen.
The match between Liverpool and Galatasaray takes place at 3:00 AM on March 19 (Vietnam time).
