Ex-Liverpool and Galatasaray striker Dean Saunders is excited for the Champions League showdown but admits he’s worried about one key figure.
There is always something special about Liverpool travelling to Istanbul in the Champions League. Many supporters still have fond memories of that famous night in 2005 when their team came back from three goals down to defeat AC Milan in a penalty shootout.
However, a hostile reception awaits Liverpool. In fact, their 21-man squad has already experienced the intimidation tactics of the Galatasaray fanbase. The Turkish club’s supporters gathered last night outside the hotel where the Liverpool first team were staying and set off fireworks, which caused the players to wake up.
The atmosphere in the stadium will be just as unwelcoming and Galatasaray will look to use their home advantage to put up a good fight. They are unbeaten in their past three matches against English opponents and have defeated Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United in their previous two Europa League campaigns.
Liverpool have failed to pick up a win in their two trips to Galatasaray, drawing 1-1 in 2002 and losing 3-2 in 2006. Dean Saunders knows what playing in that environment is like, but he still has confidence in Arne Slot and Liverpool to go and get a result.
He told BestBettingSites.com: “Liverpool’s players have played in huge games before. They will know how to deal with pressure. At Galatasaray, I loved it there. It was a great club with unbelievable support.
“A 7pm kick off would see the fans in the stadium by 12. Banging drums, red and yellow smoke everywhere. I played there sometimes and we couldn’t see the pitch under the yellow and red. We played Sparta Prague and I just felt sorry for them as they tried to cope.”
“But the manager will tell his players the same thing. Whatever else is going on, it’s 11 v 11. It’s the same size pitch. Nobody is coming from the crowd to tackle you or save your shots. It’s all psychological, so put it out of your mind.
Despite his belief in Liverpool’s abilities, Saunders is concerned the referee might be affected by the atmosphere and feel obligated to favour the home side in his decision-making.
“The only worry is the referee getting wrapped up in the atmosphere and having a bad game,” he continued. “But that’s the only way it can get to you in a way you can’t control. Don’t let the crowd affect you. Play your normal game. There’s not a Galatasaray player who would get into Liverpool’s starting XI.”
Liverpool are already off to a winning start in the Champions League after defeating Atletico Madrid at Anfield. Last season showed that winning the league phase does not guarantee long-term success, so there should not be too much pressure on Liverpool.
Saunders continued: “Arne Slot will be telling players to play their usual game, move the ball quickly, and quicker than your opponents, and we’ll have the brains to move to the right places. We have the strikers who can finish moves on, whatever the crowd does.
“It’ll be a tough night, but they just need to focus. Andy Robertson, for example, is going to have a chance to get in behind his opponent and he can make a goal for Hugo Ekitike. It’s the same across the pitch. Do the basics, fight, and you’ll be OK. A point in Istanbul is a good result, too, so there’s not too much pressure.”
Galatasaray v Liverpool kicks off at 8pm BST. Spurs and Chelsea are also in action tonight and will play Bodo/Glimt and Benfica respectively.
