Galatasaray coach steps up Liverpool mind games ahead of Champions League second leg

Okan Buruk guided Galatasaray to another famous win over Liverpool in the Champions League, but said the second leg at Anfiled will be an entirely different prospect

Okan Buruk said Liverpool remains the favorite to progress to the Champions League last-16 despite Galatasaray's win on Tuesday

Galatasaray coach Okan Buruk claims Liverpool is still the favorite to progress to the last-16 of the Champions League despite the Turkish champions winning the leg 1-0 on Tuesday.

The hosts took full advantage of the intimidating atmosphere created at RAMS Park, with Mario Lemina heading in the only goal of the game after seven minutes. Galatasaray underlined its Champions League quality with an impressive showing, creating 15 scoring opportunities and an expected goals total of just under 2.0.

Heading to Anfield next week, Liverpool will know overturning that deficit will not be a straightforward affair, despite Arne Slot’s insistence that the second leg should be a different game back in front of Liverpool’s home supporters next week.

Buruk seemed to agree with that sentiment. “The away game will be different, but we will take the field with the same spirit, hunger, and determination. We will try our best just like we did today,” said the 52-year-old.

“Every side in the last-16 is here on merit, but Liverpool remain the favorites to advance,” Buruk stated.

“Tonight, we proved once again—just as we did against Juventus—that when we combine our talent with the energy of our supporters, we can hurt any team in Europe. We stood our ground and fought. Now, we must do it again in front of their fans.

“We will go there with the same emotion, the same desire, and the same passion and do our best. We will try to continue that there. They are a very good team.

Liverpool lost 1-0 in Istanbul courtesy of Mario Lemina's first-half goal(Image: Getty Images)

“They try to evaluate your mistakes very quickly. This time they will play against Tottenham on Sunday, and we will play on Saturday. We will have an extra day to rest. Let's see, we will do our best. Hopefully, we will be the ones to reach the last eight.”

This was the first time in 12 years that Galatasaray has made it to the last-16 of the Champions League, and Buruk said his side is showing how threatening Turkish sides can be on the European stage.

“This is our second victory against Liverpool this year. We showed that the first one was not a coincidence.

Buruk was immensely proud of his Galatasaray side(Image: Yagiz Gurtug/NurPhoto)

“There was a magnificent atmosphere. From the beginning to the end of the match, the emotion was transmitted to us, and at times we transmitted that emotion.

“We defended together, we attacked together. This is very valuable. I think it is an important and prestigious victory for Turkish football. We have contributed to the country’s points, but we are showing what a Turkish team can do abroad.

“I think this is valuable as well. I mentioned it after the Juventus [play-off] match. The away matches we will play are very important. We had a good experience against Juventus.

“Being in the match, focusing on the result, and presenting our game will be the away match that awaits us. We have gained an advantage.”