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Galatasaray is preparing to host English powerhouse Liverpool in the second week of the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday, as last season’s Turkish champion looks to secure its first win of this year’s competition.
The match will be played at RAMS Park in Istanbul, kicking off at 10 p.m. local time (GMT+3) under the supervision of French referee Clement Turpin.
The Turkish champions approach the game in buoyant spirits, having secured a narrow yet vital 1-0 away victory against Corendon Alanyaspor in the Super Lig, Türkiye’s top-tier domestic competition. That result extended their perfect league run under head coach Okan Buruk, who has now guided his side to seven consecutive wins at the start of the season, the best opening sequence in the club’s long history.
For Liverpool, the journey to Istanbul comes on the back of a bruising domestic outing, where the reigning Premier League champions suffered a late 2-1 defeat against Crystal Palace in London. The home side struck early through Ismaila Sarr, only for Federico Chiesa to restore parity in the closing minutes, raising hopes of salvaging at least a point. Yet those ambitions were dashed deep into stoppage time, when Edward Nketiah’s decisive strike condemned Liverpool to a rare and stinging loss, one that leaves the squad searching for a response as they turn their attention to continental competition.
Both clubs enter the second round of fixtures with contrasting fortunes in the Champions League. Galatasaray endured a difficult opening night in Germany, suffering a 5-1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt in a result that highlighted the challenge of translating domestic dominance onto the European stage.
Liverpool, by contrast, opened their campaign with a dramatic 3-2 home victory over Spain’s Atletico Madrid, a contest that showcased the attacking depth added through their summer signings but also exposed defensive weaknesses that Galatasaray may look to exploit.
Galatasaray will take encouragement not only from their recent league form but also from the timely return of two key players. Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, recently recovered from injury, made a brief but promising appearance in the closing minutes against Alanyaspor and is expected to start in what would be his first Champions League appearance for the club.
Midfielder Lucas Torreira, who caused concern when he fainted during halftime of the same match, has also been cleared to play, ensuring the squad faces Liverpool at full strength.
Galatasaray approaches the clash with a 27-match unbeaten run at RAMS Park, consisting of 20 wins and seven draws since their last home defeat against Young Boys in the Champions League play-offs.
The Istanbul club remains unbeaten at home against Liverpool, recording one win and one draw in two previous meetings, scoring four goals and conceding three.
Liverpool has faced Turkish clubs 12 times in European competition, securing six victories, four defeats, and two draws, with 22 goals scored and 11 conceded. Their 8-0 victory over Besiktas in 2007–2008 stands as the heaviest European loss for a Turkish side.
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