Galatasaray warned to be 'modest' before Liverpool match following suspension
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Liverpool face Galatasaray in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday nightDavinson Sanchez was booked for a challenge on Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike in Istanbul and will miss the second leg on Merseyside(Image: Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)Liverpool welcome Galatasaray to Anfield on Wednesday for the third encounter between the sides this season in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 clash.Scrutiny has intensified around the Liverpool squad following their 1-1 Premier League stalemate at home to Tottenham Hotspur at the weekend, which has sparked considerable speculation regarding Arne Slot's future. But what is the situation for Galatasaray heading into this decisive Champions League fixture?The Turkish powerhouses arrive on Merseyside holding a narrow 1-0 advantage, with no traveling supporters permitted due to a UEFA sanction following crowd disturbances during their knockout phase play-off victory against Juventus.READ MORE: Galatasaray has 3 players missing vs Liverpool as key change forced after banREAD MORE: Liverpool vs Galatasaray referee apologized after attending far-right eventMario Lemina's early strike in Istanbul proved sufficient for Galatasaray to secure an impressive first leg triumph, extending their remarkable run of form against English opposition.Across their previous six fixtures against Premier League sides, they have emerged victorious on four occasions, with one draw and one defeat.
Reserve goalkeeper Enes Buyuk is also sidelined with a shoulder problem.Multiple Galatasaray players are also at risk of sharing Sanchez's predicament, with Osimhen, Noa Lang, Roland Sallai, Ismail Jakobs, Abdulkerim Bardakcı, Ugurcan Çakır, alongside boss Okan Buruk, all one caution away from suspension.Gurcan Bilgiç, a sports journalist for Turkish publication Sabah, told sporx.com: "Galatasaray's form in the last three matches for the Champions League has boosted everyone's confidence. They are at a historic turning point, their job is not finished yet."Former Galatasaray midfielder Hamit Altintop has suggested that if his old club are to triumph at Anfield, their defence will be in for a hectic evening.Speaking to DAZN, he stated: "In the Liverpool match, Ugurcan Çakır [goalkeeper] will definitely be the key player for Galatasaray.
The team needs to defend very well together."Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir will play a key role on Wednesday(Image: YASIN AKGUL, AFP via Getty Images)However, whilst acknowledging Liverpool's status as favourites, Altintop is also aware of the Reds' defensive weaknesses.He commented: "If Galatasaray don't score, they won't have a chance anyway. That's why we should be a little modest as Galatasaray."