Galatasaray Clash with Liverpool: Bold Predictions, Key Lineups, and What to Expect
Liverpool's second Champions League fixture of the campaign takes them to Istanbul, where they'll meet Galatasaray following their initial loss of the 2025–26 season.
Eddie Nketiah's injury-time goal condemned the Reds to defeat at Selhurst Park, while Arsenal's dramatic win over Newcastle United on Sunday has reduced Liverpool's Premier League lead to just two points.
This setback was anticipated by many observers of Arne Slot's team, who had previously depended on dramatic finishes to preserve their flawless start to the new season. They appeared set for a comfortable victory against Atlético Madrid in their opening league phase match two weeks prior, but Marcos Llorente's double brought the Spanish side level. However, a Virgil van Dijk header secured their European campaign began with three points.
Galatasaray, conversely, have ruled their domestic league in recent seasons but have struggled to leave their mark in Europe's elite competition. Their Champions League journey began disastrously with a crushing 5–1 defeat to Eintracht Frankfurt away from home. Nevertheless, Okan Buruk's squad transforms into a formidable force when playing at their home ground.
Here is Sports Illustrated's preview of this encounter.
What Time Does Galatasaray vs. Liverpool Kick Off?
Galatasaray vs. Liverpool Head-to-Head Record (All Games)
Current Form (All Competitions)
Galatasaray | Liverpool |
|---|---|
Alanyaspor 0–1 Galatasaray - 26/09/25 | Crystal Palace 2–1 Liverpool - 27/09/25 |
Galatasaray 3–1 Konyaspor - 22/09/25 | Liverpool 2–1 Southampton - 23/09/25 |
Eintracht Frankfurt 5–1 Galatasaray - 18/09/25 | Liverpool 2–1 Everton - 20/09/25 |
Eyüpspor 0–2 Galatasaray - 13/09/25 | Liverpool 3–2 Atlético Madrid - 17/09/25 |
Galatasaray 3–1 Rizespor - 30/08/25 | Burnley 0–1 Liverpool - 14/09/25 |
How to Watch Galatasaray vs. Liverpool on TV, Live Stream
Country | TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
United States | Paramount+, DAZN USA, Amazon Prime Video |
United Kingdom | Amazon Prime Video |
Canada | DAZN Canada, Amazon Prime Video |
Mexico | Max Mexico, TNT Go, Amazon Prime Video, TNT Sports |
Galatasaray Team News
Galatasaray secured several high-profile acquisitions during the summer window, bringing in former Manchester City players Leroy Sané and İlkay Gündoğan.
Both players are expected to feature in Tuesday evening's starting eleven. Meanwhile, Victor Osimhen, who joined the club permanently, is set to spearhead the attack after giving way to Mauro Icardi throughout the past month due to fitness issues. The Nigerian striker made his comeback appearance since late August during the weekend fixture.
With the forward's availability restored, the Turkish side faces minimal injury concerns.
Galatasaray Predicted Lineup vs. Liverpool
Galatasaray predicted lineup vs. Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Çakir; Sallai, Singo, Sánchez, Elmali; Torreira, Lemina; Sané, Gündoğan, Akgün; Osimhen.
Liverpool Team News
Hugo Ekitiké has returned to fitness and could be favored over Alexander Isak in the striker position for Tuesday's match. Cody Gakpo is also expected to regain his place in Slot's starting formation after Florian Wirtz's underwhelming performance on the left wing against Crystal Palace.
Dominik Szoboszlai might be repositioned deeper into Liverpool's central midfield alongside Ryan Gravenberch, while Andy Robertson and Conor Bradley are anticipated to occupy the full-back positions. Recent acquisitions Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez have yet to establish themselves in the squad.
The Merseyside club emerged from the weekend without any new injury setbacks, though they've suffered a significant blow with Giovanni Leoni ruled out for the entire season due to a serious knee problem.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Galatasaray
Liverpool predicted lineup vs. Galatasaray (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitiké.
Galatasaray vs. Liverpool Score Prediction
The optimism displayed in Turkey following the league phase draw may have diminished after Gala's showing two weeks ago, but Buruk's team has been reinvigorated by Osimhen's comeback, and the intimidating home atmosphere awaiting Liverpool should help level the playing field.
The English side returns to Istanbul for the first time since 2006, when they suffered a 3–2 defeat, and this fixture also promises to be an entertaining, end-to-end affair. Galatasaray will undoubtedly rise to the occasion against the Premier League leaders, with their combination of skill and experience making this a genuinely competitive encounter.
The away team has found it difficult to establish complete dominance and will likely concede chances to their passionate opponents, but Buruk's squad simply lacks the defensive capability to neutralize Liverpool's attacking threat. Therefore, we expect the Reds to prevail in what should be a high-scoring contest.
Prediction: Galatasaray 2–3 Liverpool