Liverpool fans in Istanbul: A buzzing city but policing ruined matchday

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Liverpool supporters enjoyed the buzzing city of Istanbul on their trip to watch the Reds play Galatasaray, but Draconian policing ruined the matchday experience. As far as first European aways go, I could not have asked for a better trip to pop my cherry in a metaphorical sense.

A stroll down memory lane So, when Liverpool’s draw for this season’s Champions League threw up an away day against Galatasaray, the temptation to explore the possibility of a return to Istanbul was all too great. My own trip was far from the norm.

First was the fact that around 2,500 Liverpool fans were to have no choice but to travel to Rams Park on 30 buses provided by local authorities with a departure time of 6pm, four hours before kick-off. The morning after brought about a more serene affair with a walk around Istanbul’s famed Grand Bazaar and, of course, a kebab was consumed before my departure back to Doha.