Istanbul holds a unique weight for Liverpool supporters, a city synonymous with one of football’s greatest comebacks. But the stakes on Tuesday aren’t quite as monumental as that 2005 Champions League final. This time, it’s a last-16 tie against Galatasaray that feels increasingly decisive, not just for Liverpool’s season, but potentially for the long-term future of manager Arne Slot as he reaches a significant milestone in his Anfield career.
This isn’t even Liverpool’s first visit to Istanbul this season. A 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in September was part of a troubling run of form – nine losses in twelve games – from which the team has struggled to fully recover. While Liverpool’s current form is improved, a key setback has emerged: goalkeeper Alisson Becker will miss the match due to a minor injury sustained in training. Giorgi Mamardashvili will start in goal, with Freddie Woodman on the bench, according to Slot.
The pressure is mounting on Liverpool as their Premier League title defense has been muted. Yet, history suggests that group stage performance in the Champions League doesn’t always dictate success in the knockout rounds. Despite lifting the trophy twice, Liverpool has never actually won a competitive match in Istanbul, relying on penalty shootouts for victories. Their only win in Turkey in nine attempts came against Trabzonspor in a Europa League playoff in August 2010.
Galatasaray, buoyed by a 5-2 first-leg victory against Juventus in the playoff round, presents a formidable challenge. While their second-half collapse in the return leg against Juventus revealed vulnerabilities, their attacking prowess is undeniable. Victor Osimhen, in particular, looms as a significant threat, having scored 11 league goals this season and possessing a skillset that extends beyond goalscoring, acting as a strong focal point for the attack.
“We know how good he is,” Slot said of Osimhen, adding, “But Osimhen is not the only one who is a really good player and our centre-backs have already played against him.”
The atmosphere at RAMS Park is expected to be intense, a factor Slot acknowledged after experiencing it firsthand during the group stage. “We’ve experienced it already once now,” he said. “For us it was new. When you have the ball, the whistling is so loud, so loud! That was new for me and even for all of my experienced players.”
That September encounter epitomized the struggles Liverpool has faced since Slot replaced Jürgen Klopp. A key tactical shift under Slot has been a move to slow down the tempo, prioritizing possession and reducing the intensity of the press. Under Klopp, Liverpool averaged over 90 possessions per game; under Slot, that number has dropped to the low 80s. This isn’t necessarily a criticism of quality, but a change in style.
Slot’s emphasis on control has, at times, led to indecisiveness, a problem potentially exacerbated by summer recruitment. A settled team could adapt more readily to the possession-based approach, but integrating numerous new players has proven challenging, a point acknowledged by Alexis Mac Allister.
Liverpool’s recent 3-1 FA Cup win over Wolves offered a positive sign, but the underlying issues remain. “We have a lot of ball possession but don’t create so many chances,” Slot admitted. “Creating chances is not something that’s happening a lot these days. It’s also a trend in football. Teams are organised more and more in a similar style.” One tactic Liverpool are employing to break down defenses is generating set-piece opportunities.
Liverpool still have multiple avenues to salvage their season, including the FA Cup quarter-final against Manchester City and the pursuit of a top-five Premier League finish to secure Champions League qualification for next season. However, a genuine challenge in the Champions League is now essential to avoid a sense of anticlimax. That journey begins in Istanbul on Tuesday.
The first leg against Galatasaray represents a crucial test for Slot as he manages his 100th game in charge of the club. A positive result will not only boost their Champions League hopes but could also provide a much-needed lift to a team searching for consistency and identity.
What comes next for Liverpool will depend heavily on their performance in this tie. A strong showing against Galatasaray could reignite their season, while a disappointing result could raise further questions about Slot’s tactics and the team’s direction.
What are your thoughts on Liverpool’s chances in Istanbul? Share your predictions and analysis in the comments below.
