The Daily Star Ireland
Galatasaray have started their domestic season in perfect fashion, building momentum as they defend their Turkish league crown. The Istanbul giants, who have dominated their domestic scene in recent years, opened the campaign with six straight wins over Gaziantep, Karagümrük, Kayserispor, Rizespor, Eyüpspor, and others. Their dominance is clear in the table: they already sit six points clear at the top, having scored 18 goals while conceding just two. Before meeting Liverpool, they will also face Alanyaspor in the league.
On the European stage, however, the story has been very different. Their Champions League campaign began with a heavy 5-1 defeat away to Eintracht Frankfurt. Unfortunately, this continues a frustrating pattern for Galatasaray in recent years, with early exits from the group stage and even a playoff elimination last season highlighting their struggles to carry domestic form into continental competition.
Liverpool’s Strong Start Under Slot
Liverpool, like their opponents, also arrive as reigning domestic champions, having cruised to the Premier League title ahead of Arsenal. Arne Slot’s men have started this season with five wins in five league matches, beating Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal, Burnley, and Everton, while already establishing a five-point cushion over Arsenal. Their only setback came at the very beginning of the campaign, losing to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield on penalties.
In Europe, Liverpool are seeking to improve on last season’s disappointment, when they were knocked out by PSG in the round of 16. Their group-stage journey this time began in dramatic fashion, edging Atlético Madrid 3-2 at Anfield thanks to a last-minute header from Virgil van Dijk. That result set the tone for a campaign in which Slot will hope to push deeper into the knockout rounds.
Team News and Key Players
Galatasaray will once again be without Victor Osimhen, their marquee striker who has been sidelined since the last international break after scoring twice in his first three appearances. His absence is a blow, but Mauro Icardi has stepped up impressively, netting four goals in five league games since his return. The club also strengthened heavily in the summer, bringing in Ilkay Gündogan and Leroy Sané, while Barış Yılmaz has made a bright start with three goals and two assists in the league. These players will be central to Galatasaray’s hopes of causing an upset.
Liverpool, by contrast, have a near full-strength squad available. Isak and Hugo Ekitiké are in competition for the striker’s role, with the latter already contributing three goals and an assist. Florian Wirtz is expected to start despite a slow beginning to the season, while questions are being asked about Cody Gakpo’s impact. In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Mohamed Salah (three goals and three assists in all competitions) have been delivering consistently.
Defensively, the pairing of Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk remains a reliable anchor, supported by new full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, while Alisson continues to provide security in goal.
What to Expect
Galatasaray’s domestic form shows they are a side full of confidence at home and abroad, with a run of six straight wins and multiple clean sheets on their travels. They have scored at least twice in each of those matches, underscoring their attacking strength.
Liverpool, however, arrive with superior pedigree in the Champions League. They have won 13 of their last 18 matches in the competition, including five consecutive victories, and remain one of Europe’s most dangerous sides under Slot’s fast-paced system. For Galatasaray, recent continental form is worrying, with seven defeats in their last nine European outings.
Prediction
This fixture promises attacking football from both teams, but Liverpool’s depth, experience, and momentum on the European stage should make the difference. Galatasaray will likely find the net but may struggle to cope with the Reds’ intensity across 90 minutes.
Prediction: Galatasaray 1:3 Liverpool
