Preview: Liverpool host Galatasaray for crucial second legShareWe aren’t in the realms of Liverpool needing another famous European night at Anfield to make it into the quarterfinals of the Champions League, but the Reds do need a win against Galatasaray on Wednesday night. By Sam McGuireThey meet againAssessing the seasons of both teams feels a little redundant right now. This is, for all intents and purposes, a one-off match. What has come before this is, to be blunt, irrelevant. Liverpool know a win on the night is required if they’re to progress. If they want to progress inside of 90 minutes, their victory needs to be by two clear goals following the 1-0 loss in Istanbul. The same applies in extra time. To avoid a penalty shootout, the Reds know they need a minimum of two goals. This is easier said than done with Arne Slot‘s side scoring two or more in just four of their last 10 outings across all competitions. And two of those times arrived in FA Cup ties. For Galatasaray, it is a lot more straightforward. Avoid defeat and they add Liverpool to their list of upsets this season after they knocked Juventus out in the playoff round last time out.The Turkish giants head into this game in good form too having won five on the bounce, keeping clean sheets in their last three. A clean sheet at Anfield sees them into the next round. It’s as simple as that. You wouldn’t say Galatasaray have Liverpool’s number, despite winning both matches against the Reds this term, as both the game in the league phase and the first leg have been fairly even. They have, however, managed to keep clean sheets in both outings against the Premier League champions. Perhaps there’s a mental edge there that cannot be quantified. Key Players It’s kind of ironic that Liverpool’s most dangerous player right now probably won’t set foot on the pitch on Wednesday. Rio Ngumoha has been a revelation for the Reds over recent weeks but his minutes need to be managed and after playing 65 minutes against Spurs on Sunday, a cameo here feels unlikely. It means one of Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike will have to step up and deliver for the hosts. It’s what they’re paid the big money for. For the away side, the main man is Victor Osimhen. He scored the winner against the Reds in the first clash and assisted the winner last time out. He’s a constant threat no matter the opposition. Expect another big showing here.Team NewsThere are no fresh injury concerns for Slot. He’s without Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni but everyone else is available to him. He rested players on Sunday so it’ll be interesting to see what he does with his lineup on Wednesday. The away side have no injury issues at all and it means they have quite the depth heading to Anfield. Options off of the bench could be key. Prediction We’re thinking Liverpool win on the night but progression may only be secured via penalties. (Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.Preview: Liverpool host Galatasaray for crucial second legWe aren’t in the realms of Liverpool needing another famous European night at Anfield to make it into the quarterfinals of the Champions League, but the Reds do need a win against Galatasaray on Wednesday night. By Sam McGuireThey meet againAssessing the seasons of both teams feels a little redundant right now. This is, for all intents and purposes, a one-off match. What has come before this is, to be blunt, irrelevant. Liverpool know a win on the night is required if they’re to progress. If they want to progress inside of 90 minutes, their victory needs to be by two clear goals following the 1-0 loss in Istanbul. The same applies in extra time. To avoid a penalty shootout, the Reds know they need a minimum of two goals. This is easier said than done with Arne Slot‘s side scoring two or more in just four of their last 10 outings across all competitions. And two of those times arrived in FA Cup ties. For Galatasaray, it is a lot more straightforward. Avoid defeat and they add Liverpool to their list of upsets this season after they knocked Juventus out in the playoff round last time out.The Turkish giants head into this game in good form too having won five on the bounce, keeping clean sheets in their last three. A clean sheet at Anfield sees them into the next round. It’s as simple as that. You wouldn’t say Galatasaray have Liverpool’s number, despite winning both matches against the Reds this term, as both the game in the league phase and the first leg have been fairly even. They have, however, managed to keep clean sheets in both outings against the Premier League champions. Perhaps there’s a mental edge there that cannot be quantified. Key Players It’s kind of ironic that Liverpool’s most dangerous player right now probably won’t set foot on the pitch on Wednesday. Rio Ngumoha has been a revelation for the Reds over recent weeks but his minutes need to be managed and after playing 65 minutes against Spurs on Sunday, a cameo here feels unlikely. It means one of Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike will have to step up and deliver for the hosts. It’s what they’re paid the big money for. For the away side, the main man is Victor Osimhen. He scored the winner against the Reds in the first clash and assisted the winner last time out. He’s a constant threat no matter the opposition. Expect another big showing here.Team NewsThere are no fresh injury concerns for Slot. He’s without Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni but everyone else is available to him. He rested players on Sunday so it’ll be interesting to see what he does with his lineup on Wednesday. The away side have no injury issues at all and it means they have quite the depth heading to Anfield. Options off of the bench could be key. Prediction We’re thinking Liverpool win on the night but progression may only be secured via penalties. (Cover image from IMAGO)You can follow every game from the Champions League with FotMob this season — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.