"It is not the first time Liverpool have come to Istanbul looking for unlikely salvation. There is not a final on the line as there was 21 years ago, but a last-16 tie against Galatasaray feels almost as decisive for their season and possibly for the long-term future of Arne Slot, even as he marks his 100th game as manager."
"Their 1-0 reverse against Galatasaray in September was their second loss in a run of nine defeats in 12 games from which their season has never recovered. They are in much better form now, but will be without Alisson after he suffered a minor problem in training."
"Istanbul may outrank every foreign city other than perhaps Rome in Liverpool's mythology but, despite lifting two trophies, they have never actually won a match here (at least without recourse to penalties). Their only win in Turkey in nine attempts came against Trabzonspor in a Europa League playoff in August 2010."
Liverpool travel to Istanbul for a Champions League last-16 match against Galatasaray, a fixture carrying significant importance for their season and manager Arne Slot's future. The club returns to the city where they suffered a 1-0 loss in September, part of a nine-defeat run in 12 games that derailed their campaign. Liverpool's form has improved since then, but they face the match without goalkeeper Alisson due to a minor training injury, with Giorgi Mamardashvili replacing him. Despite Istanbul's prominence in Liverpool's history, they have never won a match there without penalties. Galatasaray demonstrated both vulnerability and attacking prowess in their playoff round, with Victor Osimhen presenting a physical challenge to Liverpool's defense.
Read at www.theguardian.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]