Liverpool vs Galatasaray Preview: 3 Reasons for Champions League Hope

Even though Liverpool must overturn a 1-0 deficit to advance past Galatasaray to the next round of the Champions League, they are the favourites to do so. Here are three things supporters need to know before the match.

Injury Update

Ibrahima Konate did not play during the weekend match vs. Spurs, due to “slight hamstring discomfort’. However, he should be able to go against Galatasaray. Joe Gomez is in doubt, though, after picking up an injury versus Spurs. 

Supporters got good news when it was revealed that Alexander Isak has ramped up his training with the team and is near a return. He will not be available for the Galatasaray match, but possibly when the Reds return to EPL play on March 21st at Brighton.

 “Alex is, like I said, not available for tomorrow, but the fact that you see him on the pitch tells you that he gets closer and closer to joining us again,” Arne Slot said at his pre-match presser.

Advantage Reds

Even though Liverpool are down one-nil on aggregate, the Reds have advantages over  Galatasaray in several key areas. The first is that the Rams leak away goals. In fact, they have surrendered at least three goals in three of the five away UCL matches this year. They gave up five versus Frankfurt, three versus Juventus, and three versus Manchester City. 

A similar result at Anfield would be more than enough to see the Reds through to the next round. That's probably the main reason why Liverpool are the favourite to advance despite being down 1-0. In addition, Davinson Sanchez, Galatasaray's strong centre back, will miss the game due to yellow card accumulation. That should give Liverpool a break and make it a lot easier to score against the stingy Rams defence that has shut the Reds out twice this season. I expect Hugo Ekitike and others to have a field day in front of the goal as a result.

More Reason For Hope

Technically, all Liverpool have to do to stay alive is score one goal and keep a clean sheet to force penalty kicks. Liverpool have only failed to score once in their last 12 Champions League matches. Six times they have erased a 1-0 disadvantage to advance in regulation. Galatasaray, on the other hand, have only kept one clean sheet in their past 16 European matches away from Rams Park, so all the stats are lining up for a Reds advancement. But they still have to go out and play the game, and with the way this season has been going, who knows what will happen?

LFC Globe Verdict

Liverpool had a 1-0  lead going into the Champions League second leg last year versus PSG. However, due to the long-standing aura of the Paris Club, I feel much more confident that the Reds will advance this season. Galatasaray has shown little fight on the road, and Liverpool will be looking to prove a point after poor performances in the EPL. I say Liverpool win 3-0.

Have Your Say

What do you think? Are you as confident as I am that the Reds can turn things around, or will we fall victim to more curses, bad luck or the other shortcomings that have plagued us all season long? Sound off below.

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