Galatasaray warned to be 'modest' before Liverpool match following suspension

Liverpool face Galatasaray in the second leg of their Champions League round of 16 tie on Wednesday night

Davinson 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.

Mario 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. That solitary loss occurred in January, away at Manchester City.

Mario Lemina put Galatasaray ahead in the two-legged tie

Two of those victories have come against the Reds this campaign — both 1-0 triumphs in Turkey — the first arriving during the league phase. These represent two of just three clean sheets they've managed across their last 33 matches in UEFA competitions.

On the domestic front, Galatasaray are also experiencing an excellent run; they occupy the summit with eight fixtures remaining, holding a seven-point advantage over Fenerbahce in second spot, securing victories in their previous five outings across all competitions. Additionally, they have progressed to the Turkish Cup quarter-finals.

As the squad prepared on Monday before departing for England, former Norwich midfielder Gabriel Sara was congratulated by his colleagues following a first call-up to the Brazilian national squad by ex-Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti.

In tonight's fixture, another player could achieve a historic landmark: Victor Osimhen is one strike away from matching former Gala forward Burak Yilmaz's record of most goals for a Turkish side in a single Champions League campaign (8).

Having collected a yellow card in the opening leg, ex-Tottenham centre-back Davinson Sanchez is unavailable, which could prove a significant setback for the away side. 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. Okan Buruk knows very well how to make the team play.

"But they will feel Sanchez's absence a lot. 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. I think he will have a lot of work to do. 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. They must be effective in attack and take advantage of opportunities.

"[Against] Juventus, it was not very convincing in the second match. That's why you shouldn't get too carried away. We need to take small steps and wait for the second match.

"It will be a very difficult task to beat Liverpool there. That's why we should be a little modest as Galatasaray."