Galatasaray will welcome Liverpool to RAMS Park for the first leg of their UEFA Champions League round of 16 tie on Tuesday, March 10. The Turkish side, who defeated the Reds 1-0 in the league phase last September, aim to build on recent form despite Liverpool's strong away record in Europe. Victor Osimhen has warned that his team can pose problems if they play carefully at home.
Liverpool's Champions League campaign reaches the knockout stage with a trip to Istanbul to face Galatasaray at RAMS Park. The Reds finished third in the league phase but suffered a 1-0 loss to the hosts in September 2025, thanks to a penalty converted by Victor Osimhen following a handball by Dominik Szoboszlai. Galatasaray advanced to this round after a dramatic 7-5 aggregate playoff victory over Juventus, which went to extra time despite the Italian side playing with 10 men for much of the second leg.
The Turkish club cannot bring supporters to the second leg at Anfield due to crowd disturbances during the Juventus tie, making a positive result in Istanbul crucial. Under manager Okan Buruk, Galatasaray seek a fourth consecutive win across all competitions and a sixth straight home victory. They have scored at least three goals in eight of their last 13 European home matches but kept only one clean sheet in their past eight at the stadium.
Osimhen, who scored the winner in a 1-0 league victory over Besiktas on Saturday, emphasized team unity ahead of the clash. "Liverpool are a very big team. We'll be playing at home. If we are careful, we can do well, even if it's not easy," the 27-year-old Nigerian striker said. He has netted 18 goals in all competitions this season after joining permanently from Napoli for £65 million last summer and expressed his affection for the club amid transfer rumors.
Liverpool, sixth in the Premier League, recently lost 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers but bounced back with a 3-1 FA Cup win over the same opponents. They have conceded five goals in their last three games, compared to three in the prior six, though they scored three or more in three of their five most recent matches. Away in the Champions League, they have conceded just twice while netting nine in four fixtures. Historically, Liverpool have struggled against Galatasaray, winning only one of six meetings.
Manager Arne Slot acknowledged the challenge: "The noise is even harder than when they score a goal... We've already played there and we've lost. It's a very good team."
Injuries hamper Liverpool: Alexander Isak (lower leg) is out until at least April 11, Conor Bradley (knee) misses the rest of the season and early next, Wataru Endo (ankle/foot) is sidelined for the campaign, and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) has an unknown return date. No players are suspended. Hugo Ekitike is expected to lead the attack, with Jeremie Frimpong covering for Bradley.
Galatasaray may field a physical lineup with Osimhen supported by Baris Yilmaz and Noa Lang, alongside Lucas Torreira and Mario Lemina in midfield. Sports Mole predicts a 1-1 draw.
