Liverpool fan group aim concerned statement towards UEFA ahead of Tuesday's trip to play Galatasaray
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Liverpool begin a tough week of three away days on Saturday as they head to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
The Reds are back in London a week later, taking on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the Saturday evening kick-off.
While those two games are difficult enough, Liverpool are well used to travelling to the capital, they do it a handful of times every season.
Sandwiched in between the pair of Premier League matches, though, is a Champions League away day which Liverpool have not taken competitively since 2006: Galatasaray.
The Turkish giants are notorious for having a fervent and passionate support, which makes travelling to play them a difficult task no matter their opponent.
The Liverpool squad will have to be at their best on the pitch to get a result at RAMS Park.
But while some supporters may be worried about picking up three more Champions League points, others have raised concerns to UEFA over arrangements for the match.
Photo credit should read MUSTAFA OZER/AFP via Getty Images
You can imagine Arne Slot would not have been especially happy to see Galatasaray come out of the hat as opponents on this specific matchday.
As one of the best teams in Europe, Liverpool can handle a lot, but having three tough away trips in succession is not ideal.
Galatasaray in Istanbul will arguably be the hardest of the lot.
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Away from on the pitch concerns, though, fan group Spirit of Shankly released a statement on Friday highlighting some of its worries about the treatment of Liverpool supporters during the game.
“Spirit of Shankly have met repeatedly with Liverpool FC to raise serious concerns about the conditions being imposed on supporters in Istanbul,” write the group.
Supporters are understandably concerned.”
“This is not unique to Liverpool fans,” SOS add.
“Manchester United and Tottenham supporters faced similar restrictions in Istanbul, and we are being warned of potentially worse treatment for fans travelling to Marseille.”
The fan group go on to highlight UEFA’s independent review in the wake of the 2022 Champions League final as proof of recommendations being put in place, claiming that ‘lessons have not been learned’ by the organising body.
“After this fixture, we will press for answers and accountability from UEFA, who cannot continue to ignore these failures,” they conclude.
Amazingly, Liverpool’s last competitive fixture against Galatasaray came almost 20 years ago.
The two teams have only met four times in their history, with two match-ups apiece in 2002 and then 2006.
Liverpool were beaten 3-2 in the away fixture 19 years ago.
Rafa Benitez’s side stumbled in the group stage, although still ultimately made the final of that season.
Robbie Fowler put Liverpool ahead, before the Turks hit back with three unanswered goals.