Galatasaray vs Liverpool LIVE - Florian Wirtz back as Rio Ngumoha on bench, TV channel, kick-off time

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A big night (or early evening) awaits...15:59Paul WheelockGalatasaray players criticised by own manager ahead of Liverpool Champions League tieGalatasaray head coach Okan Buruk believes his players were guilty of talking about Liverpool too much before their crucial Super Lig clash with rivals Besiktas.The defending champions won 1-0 at Besiktas on Saturday thanks to a Victor Osimhen goal and despite seeing their former Manchester City winger Leroy Sane be sent off.The win moved Galatasaray further clear of Fenerbahce at the top but afterwards Buruk criticised the pre-match chatter among his squad about Liverpool, who head back to Rams Park on Tuesday for a big Champions League round of 16 first-leg encounter."They were all talking about the Liverpool match before the derby game against Besiktas, which was a very important match in its own right," Buruk said."Besiktas had claimed some good results against us so it was too early to think about Liverpool, we had to think about the league match first."The Liverpool match was one to think about after we'd got through the derby because we knew a victory in that game would mean we're much better prepared for Tuesday."Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk speaks during a press conference after the Turkish Super Lig match against Besiktas at Tupras Stadium in Istanbul on March 07, 2026 (Image: Hakan Akgun/Anadolu via Getty Images)15:53Ian DoyleLiverpool team ponderingsInteresting to see what Slot decides to do this evening.The main questions are over who plays at right-back and who gets employed on the left of midfield.Frimpong and Wirtz for me.15:50Ian DoyleWelcome from IstanbulA very rather cold and windy welcome to the latest game in Liverpool's season.Yes, it's the Champions League and it's Galatasaray.The Reds lost here in the league stage but this is a different kettle of cheese, the first leg of a round of 16 clash.There might be a bit of revenge in the air. Who knows.Let's do this.15:48Paul WheelockHow to watch Galatasaray v LiverpoolThe vast majority of Liverpool supporters will be watching tonight's Champions League clash from home.And here's everything you need to know about doing that.

Just play your natural game.You can read John Aldridge's column for the Liverpool ECHO in full HERE.15:30Paul WheelockVictor Osimhen on tonight's Galatasaray vs Liverpool matchThe match-winner when the sides met back in September, there is no doubt Galatasaray goal machine Victor Osimhen is the man Liverpool will have to keep a close eye on tonight.Speaking before the game, the prolific striker said: "Liverpool are a very big team. We will fight to do well."Liverpool will face Victor Osimhen and Galatasaray in the Champions League again (Image: Getty Images)15:24Paul WheelockEight players could miss Galatasaray vs Liverpool Liverpool and Galatasaray will both be forced to deal with several players being on the sidelines for this evening's Champions League clash this week.Along with the aforementioned Alisson Becker, Liverpool will also be without Federico Chiesa through illness, and Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni, who all remain sidelined with long-term injuries.Galatasaray, meanwhile, will not be able to call on goalkeeper Enes Emre Buyuk and defender Arda Unyay through injury.15:20Paul WheelockAlisson Becker out of Galatasaray vs LiverpoolLiverpool will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker tonight.But Arne Slot said the Brazilian could return for Sunday's Premier League home clash with Tottenham Hotspur: "There is definitely a chance, yes, as we don’t expect it to be a big thing but it was too much to be available for tomorrow."Alisson was ruled out after suffering a knock during open training shortly before the squad jetted out to Turkey on Monday afternoon.The Brazilian started the defeat to Galatasaray in September but suffered a hamstring injury during the second half that kept him on the sidelines for almost two months and saw him replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili.The Georgian will again deputise in Istanbul but Slot is optimistic Alisson will not have another lengthy spell in the treatment room."Ali was in the session but unfortunately felt something towards the end," said the Liverpool head coach.

You can read that HERE.Rio Ngumoha applauds the Liverpool fans his star showing in the 3-1 FA Cup victory at Wolves (Image: Nigel French/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images)15:14Paul WheelockWelcome to our Galatasaray vs Liverpool live coverageHello and welcome to our live coverage of Liverpool's trip to Galatasaray in the Champions League.It is the first leg of the round of 16 tie and the second time the clubs have faced each other this season.Back in September Galatasaray won 1-0 thanks to a Victor Osimhen penalty. While a similar result wouldn't be the end of the world for Liverpool tonight, with the second leg at Anfield to come next Wednesday (March 18), they will be determined to take a positive result back to Merseyside.It's a big game for Arne Slot and his players.