Liverpool vs Galatasaray Lineups, Prediction, Team News, Injury And Preview

Liverpool vs Galatasaray Prediction: Liverpool are predicted to beat Galatasaray 3-1 after extra time at Anfield in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg on March 18, 2026, overturning the 1-0 first-leg deficit to progress 3-2 on aggregate, backed by their strong European home record of 15 wins in 19 UEFA matches at Anfield and Galatasaray’s poor away record of just 2 wins in 23 Champions League away games.

Key Facts

• Liverpool host Galatasaray at Anfield on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in the Champions League Round of 16 second leg.
• Galatasaray hold a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, with Mario Lemina scoring the only goal in Istanbul on March 10.
• Liverpool have won 15 of their last 19 UEFA home matches at Anfield, making them strong candidates for a comeback.
• Victor Osimhen leads Galatasaray with 19 goals this season, including seven in the Champions League.
• Dominik Szoboszlai is Liverpool’s top Champions League scorer this campaign with four goals.
• Galatasaray have lost 19 of their last 23 away games in the Champions League proper.
• Arne Slot marks his 101st game as Liverpool manager under significant pressure after winning just one of his last four matches.

Match Overview

Detail	Information
Competition	UEFA Champions League 2025/26 – Round of 16, Second Leg
Date	Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Kickoff	8:00 PM GMT / 1:30 AM IST (March 19)
Venue	Anfield, Liverpool
First Leg Result	Galatasaray 1–0 Liverpool
Aggregate	Galatasaray lead 1-0
Referee	TBC

Liverpool vs Galatasaray Preview: Can Liverpool Overturn the Deficit?

Liverpool find themselves in an uncomfortable but not unfamiliar position.

The six-time European champions trail Galatasaray 1-0 heading into the return leg at Anfield, a ground that has witnessed countless European comebacks over the decades.

Arne Slot’s side have struggled for consistency in recent weeks. A 2-1 loss at Wolves in the Premier League on March 4 was followed by the first-leg defeat in Istanbul, and Sunday’s 1-1 draw against Tottenham — where Richarlison equalized in the 90th minute — did little to restore confidence.

Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League, two points adrift of the top four, and a second consecutive Champions League last-16 exit would represent a serious blow to Slot’s tenure.

However, the numbers at Anfield tell a different story. Liverpool’s European home record is formidable, and historically, they have progressed from nine out of 13 ties after losing the first leg 1-0.

The atmosphere at Anfield under the floodlights remains one of football’s most powerful forces, and Slot himself has expressed full confidence in his squad’s ability to respond.

Galatasaray, managed by Okan Buruk, arrive in Merseyside riding a five-match winning streak across all competitions. Their 3-0 demolition of Istanbul Basaksehir last weekend extended their Turkish Super Lig lead to seven points.

The Turkish giants haven’t conceded in three consecutive matches, and their two victories over Liverpool this season — both 1-0 — represent a remarkable defensive achievement.

Still, Galatasaray’s away record in Europe is alarming. Just two wins in 23 away Champions League matches and only one victory in their last 12 trips to England paint a grim picture for Buruk’s men on the road.

Predicted Liverpool vs Galatasaray Lineups and Formations

Liverpool (4-2-3-1)

Alisson; Frimpong, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Mac Allister, Gravenberch; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike

Slot is expected to recall Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Ibrahima Konaté after all three started on the bench against Tottenham. Florian Wirtz could operate from the left flank, freeing Szoboszlai to pull strings in the number 10 role.

The midfield pivot of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch provides both defensive solidity and progressive passing ability.

Galatasaray (4-3-3)

Çakır; Sallai, Singo, Bardakçı, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Yılmaz, Sara, Lang; Osimhen

Buruk loses Davinson Sánchez to suspension, which forces a defensive reshuffle. Abdulkerim Bardakçı and Ismail Jakobs are expected to return. Lucas Torreira anchors the midfield alongside Lemina, the first-leg hero.

Victor Osimhen spearheads the attack with Barış Alper Yılmaz and Noa Lang providing width, potentially leaving Leroy Sané on the bench.

Injuries and Absences

Liverpool remain without club-record signing Alexander Isak (leg injury), Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley (both knee), and Wataru Endo (ankle).

All four are long-term absentees. The absence of Isak, in particular, deprives Liverpool of a proven goalscorer who could have been decisive in a match where they must score at least twice.

Galatasaray are missing Enes Büyük (shoulder), while Metehan Baltacı, Gökdeniz Gürpüz, and Renato Nhaga were excluded from the Champions League squad entirely.

The suspension of Sánchez weakens the backline, and his aerial presence will be missed against Liverpool’s set-piece threat.

Key absence that could shift the game: Sánchez’s suspension is significant.

The Colombian centre-back has been Galatasaray’s most reliable defender in Europe, and his absence against the likes of Ekitike, Salah, and Wirtz could expose vulnerabilities that Liverpool failed to exploit in the first leg.

Where to Watch Live?

Country	Broadcasters
United Kingdom	TNT Sports 1, discovery+, BBC Radio 5 Live
United States	Paramount+, TUDN, UniMás, ViX
India	Sony LIV, SONY TEN 2, SONY TEN 3, JioTV
Germany	DAZN, DAZN2
France	Canal+, myCANAL
Spain	Movistar+
Italy	Sky Sport 252, TV8, NOW TV
Turkey	TRT 1, tabii, Digiturk Play
Brazil	TNT Brasil, Max Brazil, Claro TV+
Canada	DAZN Canada, fuboTV Canada
Australia	Stan Sport

Head-to-Head Record

The rivalry between these two clubs carries weight. In their most recent five meetings, Galatasaray have dominated with three wins to Liverpool’s one, plus one draw.

Remarkably, Galatasaray have beaten Liverpool in both encounters this season without conceding — a feat no other team has managed against the Reds in 2025-26.

Also Read Barcelona vs Newcastle United Prediction.

The historical record stretches back to a fiery 2006 Champions League group stage, where both matches produced 3-2 scorelines.

Galatasaray also won a 2011 friendly 3-0. The Turkish club’s psychological edge in this specific matchup is undeniable, though Liverpool’s Anfield advantage in European knockout football remains a powerful counterweight.

Champions League Standings

Position	Team	Played	Won	Drawn	Lost	GF	GA	GD	Points
3	Liverpool	8	6	0	2	20	8	+12	18
20	Galatasaray	8	3	1	4	9	11	-2	10

Liverpool finished the league phase third overall, while Galatasaray scraped through in 20th before eliminating Juventus in the playoff round. The gap in quality on paper is clear, yet Galatasaray’s results against Liverpool this season defy the standings.

Tactical Analysis and Key Players to Watch

Mohamed Salah carries Liverpool’s biggest attacking threat. His movement, pace, and finishing ability from the right flank remain world-class, and Galatasaray’s reshuffled defence — without Sánchez — could struggle to contain him.

Dominik Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s most influential Champions League performer this season. His four goals and creative output from the number 10 position make him the player most likely to unlock Galatasaray’s compact defensive block.

Victor Osimhen is the danger man for Galatasaray. The Nigerian striker thrives on counter-attacks and his physical presence will test Van Dijk directly. With seven Champions League goals, he possesses the quality to punish Liverpool on the break and effectively kill the tie.

Lucas Torreira will be critical in midfield. His ability to disrupt Liverpool’s rhythm and win second balls could determine whether Galatasaray survive the expected early onslaught.

Liverpool vs Galatasaray Prediction

Liverpool’s Anfield pedigree in Europe, combined with the expected returns of Salah, Konaté, and Ekitike, should provide enough firepower to overturn the deficit.

Galatasaray’s dreadful away record in the Champions League and the loss of Sánchez weaken their defensive resilience. Expect a tense, dramatic night.

Predicted Score: Liverpool 3-1 Galatasaray (AET) — Liverpool progress 3-2 on aggregate.

Slot’s men will need to be patient, but the quality gap and home advantage should ultimately prove decisive in what promises to be one of the most intense European nights at Anfield this season.

FAQs