Season snapshot
Reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray have a perfect Super Lig start: seven wins, 19 scored and just two conceded. They edged Alanyaspor 1-0 away on Friday via a Mauro Icardi strike. Their only loss this season came in Europe, a 5-1 reverse at Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday one.
Attacking threat and creators
Icardi leads the charts with five goals this term. Barış Alper Yılmaz has three goals and three assists from six outings, while Yunus Akgün and Eren Elmalı have each netted three times, including one European goal for Akgün.
Team news
Victor Osimhen’s fitness was being monitored after an ankle issue; he appeared late off the bench against Alanyaspor and could feature tonight. Kick-off is 8pm BST.
How they match up (UCL so far)
In limited European sample sizes this season, Galatasaray have 1 goal from 5 shots on target (45.5% accuracy, 9.1% conversion). Liverpool’s early UCL numbers show 3 goals from 6 shots on target (40% accuracy, 20% conversion) with 3 assists credited.
Familiar faces for Premier League eyes
The squad includes several with Premier League or Liverpool experience: Davinson Sánchez, Leroy Sané, İlkay Gündoğan, Mario Lemina and Lucas Torreira.
What Buruk said
Head coach Okan Buruk stressed unity and bravery: his side must be compact with and without the ball, mindful of Liverpool’s transitions and attacking variety, and aim to disrupt the visitors.
Stadium and edge at home
RAMS Park (opened 2011) holds 52,000-plus. Galatasaray are unbeaten there for 13 months and have lost only three of their last 19 European home fixtures.
Notes and nuggets
- Buruk scored in a 3-2 home win over Liverpool in the 2006 Champions League; he took charge in June 2022.
- Last season they claimed a third straight league title: 95 points from 30 wins, five draws, one defeat (at Beşiktaş).
- Last Champions League knockouts reached: 2013-14.
- Versus English clubs all-time: W6 D8 L10.
