Liverpool vs Galatasaray LIVE!
Liverpool have gone roaring through into the quarter-finals of the Champions League. The Reds were vastly improved on Wednesday night as they easily overturned a 1-0 first-leg deficit in their last-16 tie against Galatasaray, who were totally dominated and outclassed at Anfield in a 4-0 rout that could have been far more emphatic. Dominik Szoboszlai set Liverpool on their way to a commanding victory, putting the hosts ahead on the night and level overall by finishing off a clever corner routine.
Mohamed Salah saw a poor penalty saved by Ugurcan Cakir on the stroke of half-time following an Ismail Jakobs foul on Szoboszlai as Liverpool launched wave after wave of attack, with Galatasaray losing talisman Victor Osimhen to an arm injury at the interval. But Salah more than played his part in a second-half blitz that saw Liverpool score three times in just 11 minutes, curling home himself for a 50th Champions League goal after also laying on an assist for Hugo Ekitike as Ryan Gravenberch joined in the fun.
Salah too went off with a knock late on as Galatasaray’s Noa Lang was taken to hospital with a freak and gruesome thumb injury. A Wilfried Singo own goal and Alexis Mac Allister finish were also ruled out for Liverpool, who will be gunning for revenge for last season’s penalty shootout defeat in the last 16 when they reunite with holders Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals next month.
Liverpool vs Galatasaray latest news
- Galatasaray substitute Lang suffers freak hand injury
- Salah taken off injured with 15 minutes to play
- GOAL! Salah curls home fourth for Liverpool
- NO GOAL! Singo OG chalked off after offside call
- GOAL! Two in two minutes as Gravenberch scores
- GOAL! Ekitike sweeps in from close range
- Osimhen off injured at half-time for Galatasaray
- Poor Salah penalty saved before the break
- GOAL! Szoboszlai fires Liverpool level in tie
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 22:02 , George FloodFull-time
A superb, totally dominant performance from Liverpool - it was like a training exercise from the outset.
They scored some brilliant goals and eased the pressure on Arne Slot on an almost perfect night, easily overturning the first-leg deficit to gain revenge on Galatasaray and seal a spot in the Champions League quarter-finals.
They will hope that knock suffered by Salah is nothing serious as they now prepare for holders PSG in the last eight, and a chance at revenge for last season’s exit on penalties in the round of 16 at Anfield.
A horrendous night for Galatasaray, who were absolutely abject and suffered injuries to talisman Osimhen and Lang.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:58 , George Flood96 mins: Mac Allister’s latest effort is deflected and gathered easily by Cakir.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:57 , George Flood94 mins: Liverpool look desperate to pile on more late misery here as Szoboszlai drags a shot wide and Chiesa’s effort inside the box is blocked.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:54 , George Flood90 mins: Into six minutes of added time at Anfield.
Galatasaray want this to end as quickly as possible.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:53 , George Flood90 mins: That really, really should be 5-0 to Liverpool as Cakir is beaten to a corner delivery by Van Dijk and Mac Allister turns in from point-blank range.
It’s disallowed by the referee for a foul by Van Dijk on the goalkeeper and somehow the decision isn’t overturned.
4-0 it remains. Nonsense.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:52 , George Flood88 mins: With their quarter-final place long since secured, Slot is making a late triple change at Anfield.
Rio Ngumoha, Federico Chiesa and Trey Nyoni replace Wirtz, Ekitike and Gravenberch.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:50 , George Flood86 mins: Ekitike skews an effort not far wide for Liverpool before Elmali makes an important challenge to prevent Szoboszlai from scoring again.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:47 , George Flood84 mins: Liverpool are in again but Gakpo can’t control to provide the finish after Kerkez’s low cross is scuffed away by Elmali.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:43 , George Flood80 mins: After a lengthy stoppage, Icardi is now on for Lang.
Just a terrible night for Galatasaray all round.
Lang is being lifted on to a stretcher.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:40 , George Flood75 mins: Lang is contained well by Jones before hitting his wrist and hand on the advertising hoarding.
He has hurt it badly and is receiving lengthy treatment as Mauro Icardi prepares to come on.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:37 , George Flood73 mins: Eren Elmali has replaced Galatasaray captain Bardakci.
Salah has taken a knock and signals to the Liverpool bench that he needs to come off.
He gets a standing ovation from the Anfield crowd as he heads straight down the tunnel for treatment.
Cody Gakpo takes his place.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:34 , George Flood70 mins: Ex-Manchester City star Sane is being booed by some of the home fans.
A rare moment of joy for Galatasaray as Szoboszlai gets done with a cheeky nutmeg.
Jakobs is very fortunate to earn a foul that stops Salah racing away for a likely fifth goal.
Liverpool can score as many as they want tonight.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:33 , George Flood68 mins: Slot looks to his bench for the first time tonight as Curtis Jones replaces Frimpong.
Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:31 , George Flood67 mins: This is an utterly absurd level of dominance from Liverpool as Salah now cracks the crossbar.
Cakir makes a strong save from Mac Allister and Ekitike heads over when he probably should score.
Galatasaray don’t have a clue what to do about this.
GOAL! Liverpool 4-0 Galatasaray (4-1 agg) | Mohamed Salah 62'
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:26 , George Flood62 mins: The tie is now firmly in the bag!
Salah and Wirtz link up wonderfully before Salah bends an unstoppable effort beyond the fingertips of Cakir and into the far corner.
What a night for Liverpool. More goals in this yet as well...
Liverpool 3-0 Galatasaray (3-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:24 , George Flood59 mins: Another attacking change from shell-shocked Galatasaray.
Torreira makes way for Yunus Akgun.
Liverpool 3-0 Galatasaray (3-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:20 , George Flood55 mins: A vital last-ditch challenge denies Liverpool a fourth goal before Frimpong’s cross is then put through his own net by Singo with Galatasaray totally collapsing.
But Frimpong was offside and the goal is quickly ruled out after a VAR check.
Liverpool are absolutely purring at Anfield. Exactly the performance that the under-pressure Slot needed tonight.
Lang also on for Boey for Galatasaray.
GOAL! Liverpool 3-0 Galatasaray (3-1 agg) | Ryan Gravenberch 53'
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:17 , George Flood53 mins: Two goals in two minutes for rampant Liverpool!
Cakir saves from Salah before Gravenberch reacts quickest to dispatch the rebound into the bottom corner.
The Champions League quarter-finals now surely beckon.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-0 Galatasaray (2-1 agg) | Hugo Ekitike 51'
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:15 , George Flood51 mins: There’s the all-important second Liverpool goal!
Szoboszlai’s cute pass finds Mac Allister, who immediately picks out Salah.
Salah’s first-time cross is then swept home by Ekitike and Anfield erupts.
They certainly deserve it.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:13 , George Flood48 mins: Van Dijk and Kerkez combine to keep Galatasaray at bay early in the second half as Sane’s introduction and the removal of the injured Osimhen already gives the visitors a spark.
Cakir then stands tall twice to thwart both Ekitike and Salah.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:09 , George FloodBack underway at Anfield, where Liverpool will attack The Kop in the second half.
Osimhen has indeed gone off at half-time for Galatasaray, as expected.
Leroy Sane is on.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:05 , George FloodAnd here is that opening goal from Dominik Szoboszlai, who is such an influential figure for Liverpool.
Brilliant corner routine, caught Galatasaray totally sleeping.
A clever corner routine from Liverpool 🧠
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 18, 2026
Dominik Szoboszlai levels up the tie against Galatasaray 💥
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/ZWrQFR0iWG
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 21:04 , George FloodMohamed Salah will not want to see this again...
Mo Salah’s penalty is saved 🫣
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 18, 2026
The tie remains level heading into half-time
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/5tyFvm5sMB
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:55 , George FloodHalf-time
Liverpool lead on the night and are level in this Champions League last-16 tie thanks to Dominik Szoboszlai’s fine 25th-minute goal.
But they should be well clear already after a totally dominant first half, with chances galore and a penalty botched by Mohamed Salah.
Galatasaray remain alive for now, but it feels very ominous for them at the moment.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:53 , George Flood51 mins: A truly hectic end to the opening half at Anfield as Alisson is forced into his first save of the night from a header.
Cakir then follows up his penalty stop to make two crucial, quick-fire saves to deny both Wirtz and Salah.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:50 , George Flood49 mins: Salah steps up for Liverpool on the stroke of half-time...
Oh it’s a dreadful, mishit effort down the middle that is repelled by the legs of Cakir.
A massive reprieve for Galatasaray.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:48 , George Flood48 mins: Penalty to Liverpool given after Szoboszlai nips in ahead of Jakobs and goes down inside the box.
This will stand...
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:47 , George Flood45 mins: Five minutes of added time have been signalled in this first half at Anfield.
Osimhen is still not moving well at all and will surely be replaced at the break.
More iffy kicking from Cakir, who is looking shaky for Galatasaray - fine save from Szoboszlai aside.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:46 , George Flood44 mins: Liverpool pile on more pressure with half-time approaching, Singo making a key block to thwart Szoboszlai.
The ball then bounces wide off the legs of Salah.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:43 , George Flood40 mins: Cakir tries to claim Liverpool’s latest corner delivery but he’s upended by Mac Allister and earns a pressure-relieving goal kick.
Galatasaray will be desperate for the half-time whistle here.
They are being absolutely dominated in every facet of the game.
But still level in the tie...
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:42 , George Flood38 mins: A very rare foray forward in this first half from Galatasaray, but the cross to Osimhen at the back post is overhit and he steers well wide.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:39 , George Flood35 mins: Lang has now sat back down with his bib back on.
Osimhen has told the Galatasaray bench that he wants to stay on for now.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:35 , George Flood32 mins: Galatasaray are absolutely rocking at Anfield as Cakir makes a sprawling save to repel Szoboszlai’s fierce drive.
To make matters worse, Osimhen looks set to come off as Noa Lang prepares to enter the fray.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:33 , George Flood31 mins: A massive last-ditch challenge now denies Wirtz from close range and Van Dijk hits the woodwork from the resulting corner.
The whistle has gone for a foul.
Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:33 , George Flood29 mins: Liverpool are swarming all over Galatasaray here, with a poor header from Bardakci opening the door for Salah - Cakir makes the save.
The hosts are also denied a penalty after a nudge in the back of Ekitike inside the box.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Galatasaray (1-1 agg) | Dominik Szoboszlai 25'
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:28 , George Flood25 mins: Deadlock broken at Anfield!
It’s a superb corner routine from Liverpool after Mac Allister’s initial shot was blocked.
The Argentine then rolls it into the path of Szoboszlai, who makes a late run and side-foots beautifully into the bottom corner.
Liverpool are level in the tie.
Liverpool 0-0 Galatasaray (0-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:23 , George Flood20 mins: Now Torreira is down and needs treatment after a collision with Mac Allister. Slot is not a happy man.
Wirtz now fires well off target.
Liverpool fans pay tribute to the late Diogo Jota in the 20th minute.
Osimhen has been talking to the Galatasaray bench during the latest stoppage.
Liverpool 0-0 Galatasaray (0-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:21 , George Flood18 mins: Ekitike almost has a massive chance from close range after tricky feet from Wirtz inside the box.
Torreira then intervenes to snuff out more danger.
Osimhen is still really struggling here and has been down on his haunches in the centre circle.
Liverpool 0-0 Galatasaray (0-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:17 , George Flood16 mins: Solid defending from Boey to head behind and win a free-kick off Ekitike’s challenge after a fine cross-field pass.
Slot is extremely animated on the touchline. Feeling the pressure?
Liverpool 0-0 Galatasaray (0-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:15 , George Flood14 mins: Liverpool’s fans, players and Slot are all getting very frustrated with these early stoppages as Lemina now stays down after a clash in the air with Frimpong.
Liverpool 0-0 Galatasaray (0-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:13 , George Flood12 mins: This has been a dominant start from Liverpool, who are pressing high with real intensity as they win back possession in a dangerous area and Ekitike’s low drive is held by Cakir.
Osimhen - sporting his usual facemask - now has his left wrist strapped up.
Boey is now down for Galatasaray.
Liverpool 0-0 Galatasaray (0-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:12 , George Flood10 mins: Osimhen looks like he might need a stretcher before he suddenly springs up and rows with Liverpool players who, like the home fans, feel his treatment is taking too long.
He eventually goes off for more attention.
Liverpool 0-0 Galatasaray (0-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:10 , George Flood8 mins: There are players slipping all over the place at Anfield, with Singo and Ekitike both tumbling in the Galatasaray box.
Osimhen is now down and in some pain after his wrist was caught by Konate’s knee during an aerial tussle.
He’s receiving a lot of treatment.
Liverpool 0-0 Galatasaray (0-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:07 , George Flood6 mins: Buruk is cutting a very animated figure already down on the touchline as he loses his footing before barking at the officials.
A free-kick decision goes against Frimpong.
Liverpool 0-0 Galatasaray (0-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:05 , George Flood4 mins: Frimpong and Szoboszlai link up nicely to release Salah, who goes over after a slight nudge from Jakobs on the edge of the box.
Nothing given. Some early nerves from Galatasaray as experienced goalkeeper Cakir slices a kick straight out of play.
Liverpool 0-0 Galatasaray (0-1 agg)
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:03 , George Flood2 mins: Galatasaray boss Okan Buruk is sporting a fetching club scarf on the touchline.
A great atmosphere early on at Anfield as Liverpool look to start fast.
Late referee change at Anfield
Wednesday 18 March 2026 20:00 , George FloodScrap that, it appears that Szymon Marciniak hurt himself while warming up at Anfield.
Pawel Raczkowski now takes charge, having originally been the fourth official.
Teams are out
Wednesday 18 March 2026 19:59 , George FloodHere come the teams at a lively Anfield, where the home fans’ chants drown out the Champions League anthem.
Poland’s Szymon Marciniak is the referee tonight, with Marco Di Bello on VAR duty.
Kick-off approaching
Wednesday 18 March 2026 19:50 , George FloodFinal preparations at Anfield.
Kick-off is now just over 10 minutes away!
Osimhen looking to fire Galatasaray into quarter-finals
Wednesday 18 March 2026 19:36 , George FloodGalatasaray have a dreadful recent record on English soil, winning on only one of their last 12 visits.
Will they defend from the outset at Anfield tonight and look to sit on that 1-0 first-leg lead?
Not if Victor Osimhen has anything to say about it...
Liverpool fans want more from Mac Allister
Wednesday 18 March 2026 19:30 , George FloodSome Liverpool fans want to see plenty more from Alexis Mac Allister in midfield tonight...
Big fan of the lineup but am going to need to see a bit more from MacA. He’s started practically every game for the past 2 months since Jones/Inter rumours and he’s starting to drop off again. Definitely still a bit harsh on Curtis. #LFC
— H (@Haychlfc10) March 18, 2026
Liverpool 'need early goal' to settle Anfield nerves
Wednesday 18 March 2026 19:20 , George FloodThe versatile Dominik Szoboszlai looks to be back in the No10 role for Liverpool tonight, with Jeremie Frimpong at right-back and Florian Wirtz down the left.
Reds fans on social media are demanding an early goal at Anfield to settle any nerves.
If ever we needed an early goal it’s tonight to settle everyone down. #LFC
— Aaron Jackson (@aaronjacko) March 18, 2026
Galatasaray also make four changes from weekend
Wednesday 18 March 2026 19:09 , George FloodGalatasaray boss Okan Buruk also makes four changes to the team that brushed aside Istanbul Basaksehir 3-0 in the Super Lig on Saturday.
Abdulkerim Bardakci and Ismail Jakobs replace the suspended Davinson Sanchez and Eren Elmali in defence.
Last week’s match-winner Mario Lemina and Sacha Boey also come in as Yunus Akgun and Noa Lang drop to the bench.
It’s two changes from the first leg also, with Sanchez and Lang replaced by Boey and Roland Sallai.
Four Liverpool changes as Konate, Kerkez, Salah and Ekitike return
Wednesday 18 March 2026 18:58 , George FloodSo Arne Slot makes four changes to the Liverpool team that started against Tottenham.
Ibrahima Konate returns from a hamstring injury and replaces Joe Gomez, who is fit enough for the bench.
Andy Robertson makes way for Milos Kerkez at left-back and Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike are both restored in attack as Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo make way.
It’s two changes from the first leg in Istanbul, with Alisson Becker and Jeremie Frimpong replacing Giorgi Mamardashvili and Gomez.
Galatasaray lineup
Wednesday 18 March 2026 18:53 , George FloodGalatasaray XI: Cakir, Boey, Singo, Bardakci, Jakobs, Torreira, Lemina, Sallai, Gabriel Sara, Baris Yilmaz, Osimhen
Subs: Sen, Guvenc, Icardi, Sane, Yunus Akgun, Elmali, Gundogan, Kutucu, Asprilla, Ayhan, Gurpuz, Lang
Liverpool lineup
Wednesday 18 March 2026 18:46 , George FloodLiverpool XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai, Salah, Wirtz, Ekitike
Subs: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Nyoni, Nallo, Morrison, Ngumoha
Liverpool could face PSG reunion
Wednesday 18 March 2026 18:37 , George FloodAs mentioned, it will be Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals next month for the winners of this last-16 tie.
The holders followed up their 5-2 home thrashing of Chelsea with an easy 3-0 second-leg victory at Stamford Bridge last night, completing an 8-2 aggregate demolition.
Liverpool lost on penalties to PSG in the last 16 at Anfield last season after a pair of respective 1-0 away wins.
It has emerged in the French press this evening that PSG forward Bradley Barcola is likely to miss both legs of the quarter-finals with a severe right ankle ligament sprain that will keep him sidelined for several weeks.
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich is the likely other last-eight tie in that part of the bracket, with Bayern 6-1 up against Atalanta ahead of tonight’s second leg in Bavaria.
Madrid beat Manchester City 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium last night to win 5-1 on aggregate.
Galatasaray fans banned from Anfield for crunch clash
Wednesday 18 March 2026 18:26 , George FloodGalatasaray will have no away support inside Anfield tonight after they were prevented by UEFA from selling tickets and fined £34,800 for their fans allegedly throwing objects and lighting fireworks during the dramatic knockout play-off tie second leg against Juventus in Turin last month.
But plenty appear to have made the trip to Merseyside this week anyway.
There have been plenty of videos and images circulating on social media of Galatasaray fans greeting their team bus in Liverpool last night, with flares and fireworks lighting up the city centre.
Slot disputes Carragher claim that Liverpool are a 'team of individuals'
Wednesday 18 March 2026 18:10 , George FloodArne Slot also gave his reaction to Jamie Carragher’s analysis of Liverpool’s failings on Monday Night Football, in which he surmised that the current Reds squad are a “team of individuals”.
Slot said to that: "If he means we are not perfectly playing together in ball possession and off the ball then he is right.
"It is not like we are 11 individuals - if he meant that then I completely disagree.
“That is nothing to do with an individual mentality, but that the connections are not as strong yet.
"I agree with a lot of things Jamie has said throughout this whole season. This particular one, I disagree with him. I don't see this after we conceded for 1-1.
"After so many disappointments, it would not have been strange if the players had given up but they did not.
“They (Spurs) had a counter-attack where seven or eight of our players were back in our 18-yard-box and we blocked the shot and the corner led to a chance all the way on the other side for Hugo Ekitike.
"A team that has given up, a team of individuals or a team that does not work together, does not show that resilience after our 120th setback this season - that is a bit of an exaggeration but we have had many.
"He (Carragher) said a lot of things throughout this season that I agree with because I see similar.
“I cannot always say them and it is helpful for me to not go into detail with other ones I have agreed with."
Slot reacts to Liverpool fan boos: I must have done a lot of things wrong
Wednesday 18 March 2026 18:03 , George FloodUnder-pressure Liverpool boss Arne Slot covered plenty of ground at yesterday’s pre-match press conference as he was asked about the loud boos that followed Sunday’s dour 1-1 home draw with relegation-battling Tottenham in the Premier League, in which his side conceded yet another late goal.
There are plenty of Reds fans on social media now calling for the Dutchman’s dismissal, less than a year after he delivered more title success to Anfield.
"It's never nice they are frustrated because usually fans are not frustrated after you win," Slot said on Tuesday.
"People told me when I came here that they will support the manager for such a long time, but (if) you are supposing something then I must have done a lot of things wrong.
"That's never a nice feeling to have because being in the club that's always so supportive for the manager, in good and bad times, then if they are not happy with me, then apparently I've done so many things wrong.
"I did something wrong in the season that we won the league and I definitely did maybe make a few decisions that were not perfect in hindsight.
"But all the decisions I've made, I've always made for the same reason, for us trying to win the game.
"But I also know how the football industry works. Winning can change a lot.
“That's what we are trying to achieve tomorrow and we're completely ready for that."
Liverpool vs Galatasaray prediction
Wednesday 18 March 2026 17:54 , George FloodGalatasaray’s two narrow wins over Liverpool this season will give Arne Slot headaches in the build-up to the second leg.
While the scorelines suggest a pair of tightly-contested affairs, the Dutchman’s bigger concern will be his side’s inability to break down Galatasaray’s back line.
In a match where they will require one goal to force extra time or two to progress, that is a problem which urgently needs solving.
The difference may be made, then, by one of the two strikers: the in-form Victor Osimhen or Hugo Ekitike.
Spurred on by the Anfield support, we think Liverpool will do enough to squeeze through.
Liverpool to win 2-0 on the night,
Galatasaray team news
Wednesday 18 March 2026 17:48 , George FloodGalatasaray are missing former Tottenham defender Davinson Sanchez, who is suspended tonight after picking up his third Champions League booking of the season in the first leg.
Enes Buyuk and Arda Unyay remain sidelined, while Metehan Baltaci, Gokdeniz Gurpuz and Renato Nhaga were all left out of Okan Buruk’s squad for the Champions League knockout stages.
Victor Osimhen will lead the attack as usual, with Galatasaray’s squad featuring a number of ex-Premier League players including first-leg match-winner Mario Lemina, Leroy Sane, Ilkay Gundogan and Lucas Torreira.
Mauro Icardi is captain.
Liverpool team news
Wednesday 18 March 2026 17:40 , George FloodLiverpool’s record signing Alexander Isak has been back out on the grass this week as he steps up his recovery from a broken leg, but Arne Slot has confirmed that he won’t be in contention for tonight or Saturday’s lunchtime trip to Brighton in the Premier League.
Could the FA Cup quarter-final clash with Manchester City after the international break herald Isak’s long-awaited return to match action?
Joe Gomez is also a doubt to face Galatasaray due to issues sustained in the first leg that were made worse against Tottenham, though Ibrahima Konate is fit after a hamstring injury that ruled him out on Sunday.
Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni are all long-term absentees.
How to watch Liverpool vs Galatasaray
Wednesday 18 March 2026 17:35 , George FloodTV channel: In the UK, Liverpool vs Galatasaray will be televised live on TNT Sports 1, with coverage starting at 7pm GMT.
Live stream: TNT Sports subscribers can also catch the contest live online via the discovery+ app and website.
Liverpool vs Galatasaray live
Wednesday 18 March 2026 17:29 , George FloodGood evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s live coverage of Liverpool vs Galatasaray in the Champions League last 16.
The pressure is on Arne Slot as his side look to bounce back from Sunday’s frustrating draw with Tottenham and overturn a 1-0 first-leg deficit at Anfield to reach the quarter-finals, where Paris Saint-Germain would await.
Kick-off on Merseyside is at 8pm GMT, so stick with us for match build-up, breaking team news and live updates throughout the night.
