Galatasaray has 3 players missing vs Liverpool as key change forced after ban

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Liverpool will be hoping to claim a first victory over Galatasaray this season at the third attempt, and the Turkish champions have been dealt a big blow ahead of their trip to Anfield

Davinson Sanchez is suspended for Galatasaray in the second leg against Liverpool(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool has work to do if it is to reach the Champions League quarter-finals - but it could be helped by Galatasaray missing a key player in defense.

The Reds face the Turkish champions for the third time this season - but the first time at Anfield - on Wednesday, and will need to overturn a 1-0 deficit following last week’s defeat in Istanbul.

A meeting with Paris Saint-Germain awaits the winner in the next round, with Arne Slot’s side feeling the pressure after being booed off against Tottenham on Sunday. They have been handed a couple of advantages for the return leg though.

Galatasaray will not have any supporters in attendance at Anfield on Wednesday after the club was handed a ban following trouble during the play-off against Juventus last month - although that hasn’t stopped some fans from making the trip to Merseyside.

And Okan Buruk’s side is further hindered by the absence of Davinson Sanchez. The former Spurs defender will miss the game after picking up a yellow card during the first leg - his third in this season’s competition.

Yellow cards are not wiped clear until after the quarter-finals, with three Liverpool players - Virgil van Dijk, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones - in danger of picking up a suspension for the next round should they pick up a booking later.

Virgil van Dijk could pick up a suspension if receives another yellow card against Galatasaray(Image: Getty Images)

Sanchez’s absence means Galatasaray will be forced into a change in defense, with the Colombia international having started every game in the Champions League so far this season.

That is further complicated by reserve center-back Metehan Baltaci also being missing, having been out since November after the Turkish Football Federation suspended him for his alleged involvement in a betting scandal. The 24-year-old has only appeared 10 times for Galatasaray.

The visitors though don’t have many injury concerns heading into the game, with goalkeeper Enes Buyuk - who was unlikely to feature in any case - the only other player out.

Speaking after arriving on Merseyside on Tuesday, Buruk said: “It's truly wonderful to be in this stadium. Coming here, imagining tomorrow's match, playing it in our minds – it's invaluable.

“It's a very important night for Turkish football, not just for Galatasaray. We've had our ups and downs in our Champions League journey, but we've also gained a lot of experience. We need to translate that experience onto the pitch.

“We'll be playing against a very good team. Both their players and their coach are important figures. Their biggest goal this year is to succeed in the Champions League.

“We've beaten our opponent twice, but those were at home. Now it's a new adventure, an away match. I believe in my players. I imagine them giving their absolute best and thinking: ‘Why shouldn't we advance from here?’ Hopefully, we'll achieve this dream.”