2025-26 UCL Round of 16: First Leg – Galatasaray vs Liverpool

Galatasaray meet Liverpool in the first leg of their Round of 16 tie in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League,

Galatasaray knocked out Juventus in their Knockout Play-Off to reach this stage, whilst Liverpool had a pass through to this round from their third-placed finish in the League Phase.

 

Team News

Galatasaray have no fresh injury concerns to report with only goalkeeper, Enes Buyuk ruled out due to a shoulder injury.

Liverpool will be without Alisson after he suffered a knock in their final training session prior to their flight to Istanbul.

Hugo Ekitike and Jeremie Frimpong amongst those set to return after they were rested in the Reds’ 3-1 FA Cup victory at Wolves on Friday evening.

Wataru Endo (ankle), Alex Isak (leg), Conor Bradley (knee) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) remain absent.

 

When is Kick-Off?

Galatasaray host Liverpool at Rams Park, Istanbul, on Tuesday 10 March at 6:45pm CET (5;45pm BST), live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.

 

Stat Attack

• Galatasaray have lost one of five previous Champions League meetings against Liverpool (W2, D2, L1).
• Liverpool are yet to win away to Galatasaray in the Champions League (D1, L2).
• Galatasaray have kept a single clean at home in this season’s Champions League (W3, D1, L1).
• Dominik Szoboszlai has scored in both of Liverpool’s last two away games in this competition (W2).

 

Prediction

Having already beaten Liverpool at home this season by a 1-0 result despite having been played by the then injury-hit Reds, Galatasaray can come into this game confident especially given their home form but they need to be aware that this won’t be easy now Liverpool are back to almost full strength.

Arne Slot meanwhile will be pleased with how Liverpool responded to their Premier League loss at Wolves last Tuesday with a much more clinical performance in their FA Cup clash, although they did concede a late consolatory goal which shows that their defence is still there for the taking if not careful.

I however do expect a much better display in this game than they delivered last autumn so a draw should be pretty achievable, before they finish the job at home next Wednesday.

Prediction: Galatasaray 1-1 Liverpool

Result: Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool