Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool summary: score, goals, highlights | Champions League Round of 16
Mario Lemina’s early goal gives Galatasaray a narrow advantage going into the second leg at Anfield on Wednesday March 18.
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Galatasaray vs Liverpool: Champions League round of 16 as it happened
Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool: Early Lemina goal defeats off-colour Reds
Liverpool made a bright start to the game, going close on a couple of occasions in the opening minutes. Wirtz might feel he should've scored at least once, maybe even twice, in the early stages, but the momentum quickly swung in Galatasaray's favor. Mario Lemina's close-range header from a corner after their first attack put the hosts in front and the grew in confidence from that moment in. Mamardashvili was the busier of the two goalkeepers in the first half, producing fine saves from Lang and Sanchez.
Liverpool again rallied at the start of the second half, which was close-fought.Each side had a goal disallowed, with a lengthy VAR check ruling out a bizarre Liverpool equaliser for a handball by Konaté from a corner. Ekitike had by far the visitors' best chance to score but overran the ball and was denied by Cakir. Galatasaray's late second wind ensured the finished the game comfortably, although you feel they will still be up against it in the second leg at Anfield.
Newcastle vs Barcelona on now!
We'll wrap things up there as far as the action from Istanbul goes. A great night for Galatasaray, although you suspect Liverpool might have enough to finish the job at home. Make sure you switch over to Newcastle vs Barcelona, which Joe will be taking you through. Thanks for joining!
PSG or Chelsea await the winner
The winner of the Galatasaray vs Liverpool tie will face either PSG or Chelsea, who play the first leg of their tie tomorrow. We'll know which two sides will be facing off next Wednesday March 18.
Osimhen loves Liverpool
Galatasaray striker Victor Osimhen scored the goal that defeated Liverpool in the league phase. He might not have netted today, but he did set up the only goal for Mario Lemina. Another menacing performance from the Nigerian.
Galatasaray halfway to history
Galatasaray are one step away from equaling their best-ever Champions League performance. They're previously reached the quarterfinals three times, in 1993-94, 2000-01 and 2012-13. 90 minutes to go.
We'll keep going a little longer here, but just a reminder to nip over to keep Joe company as he covers Newcastle vs Barcelona in the pick of the late kickoffs! Remember, there are three round of 16 games kicking off at 4pm ET:
- Newcastle United vs Barcelona, 4 p.m. ET
- Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur, 4 p.m. ET
- Atalanta vs Bayern Munich, 4 p.m. ET
Galatasaray vs Liverpool: When's the second leg?
Actually, make that Liverpool vs Galatasaray. We don't have long to wait until the second leg, which takes place at Anfield on Wednesday, March 18. Mark your calendars!
Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool: Fulltime
And that, ladies and gentleman, is that! A 1-0 victory for Galatasaray thanks to Mario Lemina's early goal. Probably just about the right result overall, with Liverpool not at their best. The Premier League side will still fancy their chances of getting over the line at Anfield, I'd suggest.
Szoboszlai yellow card
Szoboszlai catches Akgün in the face and is next to go in the book.
Jakobs shoots just over!
Sallai's corner is cleared to Jakobs, who fires just over from the edge of the box!
Galatasaray have Liverpool where they want them. Corner!
Galatasaray substitutions: Gündogan on
Elmali and Gündogan replace Torreria and Yilmaz.
We finally get a glimpse of the 2023 Champions League winner.
Sánchez booked
Davinson Sánchez has been shown a yellow card and will now miss the second leg at Anfield, which will be a big blow for Galatasaray.
Gakpo shoots wide!
Gakpo very nearly comes to the rescue but his powerful strike from the edge of the box flies just wide!
Four minutes of injury time
Liverpool have four minutes to rescue the first leg.
Ekitike heads over!
Now that I've said that, we know Liverpool are going to score. But Ekitike doesn't here, heading Szoboszlai's cross over the bar fairly tamely.
Liverpool don't look like scoring right now, it must be said. Galatasaray have got a second wind in the last few minutes.
Yellow card for Gravenberch
Gravenberch hauls Singo back and is booked for his troubles.
Chance for Galatasaray!
That could've been 2-0! Yilmaz gets in behind Gomez and waits to lay the ball off for Sara, who hits a fierce shot into the side netting! Close!
Osimhen has the chance to run at Van Dijk one-on-one, but stalls and allows the rest of the Liverpool defence to recover. He somehow manages to make space for a shot anyway, which is deflected wide!
Osimhen shot saved!
It wasn't going in, I don't think, but Osimhen'sshot from a tight angle forces Mamardashvili to parry the ball out. It falls to Singo, who skews his effort well wide.
Liverpool are pushing, but they're not creating anything clear-cut. They haven't done since the opening minutes.
Cakir saves Galatasaray!
Robertson gets down the left and almost to the goal line. His cross comes off Sánchez and almost goes past Cakir, who reacts to push it wide.
Torreira heads a free kick just wide of the Liverpool goal, but the offside flag goes up anyway.
Galatasaray changes
Sallai and Akgün on for Lemina and Lang.
Oh, a free kick was given anyway for a foul on the goalkeeper... Not sure it should've been.
Liverpool go close!
Almost an equaliser! Szoboszlai swings in a free kick and Cakir makes a mess of it under pressure from Van Dijk! The Dutch defender almost pokes it into the net but it comes off Sánchez and scoops over the bar!
Liverpool substitution: Gakpo on
Gakpo replaces Wirtz, who had become the invisible man in the second half.
Still 1-0 to Galatasaray!
A second disallowed goal in Istanbul! Still Galatasaray lead 1-0.
Liverpool goal disallowed!
Forget everything I just said! Referee Gil Manzano has disallowed the goal, I think for a handball from Konaté.
VAR check
Ah, but of course...
Galatasaray 1-1 Liverpool
A corner comes into the penalty box and into a crowd of players. It ricochets off several players from both teams and bobbles into the net, with Cakir having come for it and missed it. Not quite sure who it came off last yet...
GOOOOOOOL LIVERPOOL! 1-1!
The strangest goal you'll see!
Frimpong gets the chance to run at Jakobs but, in true modern soccer fashion, takes the safe option and plays the ball back to Gomez, whose cross is easily dealt with.
Ekitike and Frimpong chase another ball into the Galatasaray box but Cakir races off his line and just beats them to it.
Huge chance for Ekitike!
What a chance for Liverpool! Yilmaz plays a terrible pass inside and Ekitike pounces, racing through on goal. He takes it a little too close to Cakir, who gets a big hand on the ball to put it out for a corner!
Osimhen goal disallowed
Konaté breathes a huge sigh of relief. Osimhen's goal has been disallowed for Yilmaz being offside in the buildup.
Oh, hold on... Maybe not.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAL FOR GALATASARAY! OSIMHEN!
What a mess from Konaté!
Liverpool substitutions: Salah off
Robertson and Frimpong are on for Kerkez and Salah. A year ago, you'd be shocked at Salah being taken off with Liverpool 1-0 down, but he's been almost anonymous in this game (and some might say the last few months).
Mac Allister drops to the ground as he's penalised for a foul on Sara. That seemed incredibly harsh.
Liverpool are about to make some moves on the bench. Frimpong and Robertson are coming on.
Szoboszlai shoots wide!
Szoboszlai lines one up from the edge of the box but doesn't get enough curl on it and it goes well wide. He might think he should've done better there.
Bardakci hits the side netting!
I've not idea what Bardakci, a central defender, is doing in the penalty box but he gets on the end of a pass and whistles a shot into the side netting!
Van Dijk yellow card
Yilmaz nips past Van Dijk on the right wing and is hacked down by the defender on the touchline. Yellow.
Mamardashvili called into action!
Lang drifts in from the left and whips a ball into the box. Mamardashvili gets there just ahead of Lemina, just in time!
Konaté plays another loose pass out from the back and is lucky Van Dijk has anticipated Osimhen's run into the box.
Wirtz looks to be playing more centrally for Liverpool, with Kerkez getting the left flank to himself.
Liverpool are keeping the ball better at the start of the second half. Salah looks to make something happen from the right but Lang easily picks his pocket. Galatasaray can't get out, though.
Mac Allister shoots wide!
Another fast start from Liverpool! A long throw drops to Mac Allister in the box, but he bobbles the ball wide when he probably should've done better.
Szoboszlai shot saved!
Liverpool look as if they mean business! Szoboszlai picks up the balm on the edge of the box and zips an effort goanward, forcing to Cakir to beat the ball away!
No changes for either side, by the way.
Second half underway!
We're back underway in Istanbul! Liverpool possession in the opening moments.
Liverpool's Real Madrid humbling
On this day in 2009, Liverpool thrashed Real Madrid 4-0 at Anfield, a result few saw coming at the time. They could do with reviving some of that spirit in the second half in Istanbul.
What do we think so far? Is Liverpool's lineup and style defining a Slot rebirth or confirming the malaise? Our Calum investigated before kickoff and that first half might have offered up more questions than answers. It's been a quick decline for the Reds coach, whose style of play has fans less than enamoured. It might be OK when you're winning, but when you're not...
Arne's boos
I hate to say it, Arne, but it might be Liverpool fans booing at the end of the game...
Galatasaray up at the break
Galatasaray will be more than happy with how that first half went, apart from the first five minutes. In those early stages, it looked as if their continued attempts to play out from defense would cause them all kinds of bother. But Lemina headed in from close range from a corner following the first attack, which prompted them to cut out the nonsense from the back. Since then, they've been the more threatening team, with Mamardashvili making fine saves from Sánchez and Lang. Liverpool have looked shaky at the back and uninspired in attack, although Wirtz will feel he should have scored at least once, maybe even twice, in the opening minutes.
Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool: Halftime
That's all she wrote for the first half. Mario Lemina's goal after seven minutes is the difference after an enthralling 45 minutes!
Van Dijk and Mac Allister leave the ball for one another and are lucky Osimhen isn't expecting it. The Galatasaray striker could have nipped in on goal if he'd been more alert there.
Two minutes of injury time.
We're going to 47.
Ekitike almost in!
Ekitike almost gets through on goal for Liverpool, but Sánchez just gets his body in the way enough to obstruct the striker, who falls to the ground. No foul, says the ref.
It feels as if Galatasaray are winning every 50-50 ball at the moment.
Wirtz header saved
Liverpool threaten, but it's an easy save from Cakir. Kerkez gets forward and heads the ball back across goal for Wirtz, who can't get enough on his own header to seriously trouble the goalkeeper.
Jakobs almost slits his own team's throat with a back pass to Cakir, who only just reaches it before Ekitikie!
Some serious whistling going on as Liverpool keep the ball and try to find a way to break down Galatasaray. They can't, and the hosts almost break on them.
Gomez attempts to hoist a cross high into the Galatasaray cross, which goes out for a goal kick. That pretty much sums up the last 30 minutes for Liverpool.
Cakir gets two fists on Gravenberch's corner, much to the dismay of Van Dijk, who had been waiting to pounce a couple of yards from goal.
For the first time in what feels like an age, Liverpool are in the Galatasaray box! Salah forces a corner.
Seconds earlier, Liverpool got away with one. Galatasaray should've had a free kick on the edge of the box as Gravenberch launched into Sara from behind. Nothing given.
Kerkez yellow card
The first yellow card of the game goes to Kerkez, who bundles into the back of Yilmaz then appears to trample all over him just for good measure.
Liverpool are now going nowhere in attack, just to add to their defensive frailty.
I've just seen a replay of one of Galatasaray's big chance and it was actually Davison Sánchez who headed goalward rather than Singo. And the replay emphasized how good a save Mamardashvili made there. Alisson who?
Osimhen shoots just over!
I can't stress just how terrible that was from Konaté. The Liverpool defender completely misses a ball into the box, giving Osimhen a chance to shoot. The Nigerian puts his laces right through it but can't keep it down. He should've done much better there.
Galatasaray fans want a penalty but there's no chance. Konaté leans into Sara to ensure the attacker can't get to the ball ahead of Mamardashvili, who rushes from his line to claim another ball into the box.
Liverpool have had their moments, but Galatasaray are looking more likely to score a second at the moment.
Lang floats in another cross from the left and it's almost - but not quite - perfect for Sara. Konaté clears in front of his own goal.
This is breathless stuff.
Mamardashvili saves!
Another close call for Galatasaray! Sara's cross finds Singo, whose header is pushed wide by Mamardashvili!
Ah, that was a big opportunity for Szoboszlai to play Wirtz clean through. The Hungarian, though, hits Singo with his attempted pass, and the chance has gone.
Huge save from Mamardashvili!
Lang swirls in a cross from the left, which evades everyone and almost sneaks past Mamardashvili at the far post. The Georgian does just enough to touch it past for a corner.
Osimhen almost in!
Just as I say that, Sara plays a lovely ball through for Osimhen, who escapes the attention of the Liverpool defence but can only poke it well over the bar as Mamardashvili comes out to collect the ball.
Liverpool have wrestled back control of the game, it seems.
Konaté shoots just over!
No messing about from Konaté, who fires in a piledriver from just outside the box. It flies over the bar, but only just!
That's brilliant tracking from Jakobs, who intercepts in the box just when it seemed as if Salah might get a sight of goal.
Wirtz could, and perhaps should, have scored twice already.
Wirtz shot saved!
Another big chance for Wirtz! Liverpool work it brilliantly across the box from right to left, where the German is waiting to strike. He has time and space but shoots straight at Cakir, who parries to safety.
Liverpool can't get going after falling behind. They've started to control possession again but haven't threatened since the opening moments.
Lemina's goal separates the teams
It's been a whirlwind start, Mario Lemina's header is the difference so far!
Massive chance for Osimhen!
Galatasaray have really shaken off that sluggish start! Jakobs slings in a cross from the left and Osimhen is all alone. He mistimes his jump slightly, connecting with the ball on the way down and it flies wide. Should've done better!
Van Dijk to the rescue!
Galatasaray are almost in again! Osimhen and Yilmaz are two against one with Van Dijk, who cuts out a poor pass from Yilmaz as he looked to play the striker through on goal.
Goooooooaaaaal for Galatasaray!
Galatasaray hit the front! Osimhen gets his head on the corner, nods the ball back across goal and Lemina heads into the Liverpool net from close range! What a start!
Galatasaray force first corner
That's better from the hosts! Lang gets down the outside of a floundering Konaté and wins a corner as Kerkez clears in behind his own goal.
I don't want to labor the point, but the hosts are really going to have to get their act together if they insist on playing out from the back. They've just given it away in their own half again and are lucky Liverpool couldn't get a shot away.
Galatasaray are really dicing with death in defence. How do you say ‘mamma mia’ in Turkish? We've only played two minutes.
Huge chance for Liverpool!
That should be 1-0 to the Reds! Galatasaray make a complete mess of playing out from the back and Wirtz has pretty much an open goal to shoot it, but hits it wide from the edge of the box!
An immediate touch for Mamardashvili, as Galatasaray play the ball immediately into the Liverpool box. An easy take for the Georgian.
Galatasaray kick off in Istanbul!
We're off. The noise if deafening, as you would expect!
Galatssaray go vintage
Galatasaray are wearing this vintage kit in today's game, which is rather nice. Liverpool in green.
We've seen the teams, but what about the match officials? Real Madrid and Barcelona fans will be familiar with Jesús Gil Manzano, who has taken charge of four Clásicos in his career. Hopefully we won't hear too much from the referee today, but I wouldn't bet on it...
Champions League anthem time.
Out come the teams! The Champions League anthem rings round Rams Park.
Liverpool team to play Galatasaray
Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz.
Remember, there's no Alisson Becker for Liverpool due to injury.
Galatasaray team to play Liverpool
Cakir; Singo, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Lang, Sara, Yilmaz; Osimhen.
Talisman Victor Osimhen starts. but Leroy Sané, Ilkay Gündogan and Mauro Icardi are all on the bench.
Ten minutes until kickoff!
There are about 10 minutes to go until kickoff in Istanbul and the start of the round of 16! Let's take another look at how the two teams will line up.
Liverpool’s Champions League record
Liverpool, of course, have been rather more successful in the European Cup/Champions League. They have won the competition six times in total, most recent in 2019, when they beat Spurs in a completely forgettable final. On the other hand, the Reds defeated AC Milan in a penalty shootout in 2005 in one of the Champions League's most memorable encounters, in which they were 3-0 down at halftime.
Galatasaray’s biggest European achievement
Galatasaray's biggest European achievement came in 2000, when they defeated Arsenal in the final of the UEFA Cup to become the first Turkish club to win a European competition. The following season, they beat Real Madrid to lift the UEFA Super Cup, their second and most recent continental triumph.
Galatasaray’s Champions League record
Galatasaray have been fairly regular participants in the Champions League since it was created in 1992-93. Their best runs in the competition saw them reach the quarterfinals three times, in 1993-94, 2000-01 and 2012-13.
Liverpool player to watch: Giorgi Mamardashvili
I know, I've gone a bit left-field with this one. But the Georgian goalkeeper wouldn’t have been expecting to play, with Alisson Becker normally a stick-on to start. An injury to the Brazilian means Mamardashvili will be thrust into the spotlight. Galatasaray will look to put him under pressure early on, with the backing of a vociferous crowd, to say the least. The former Valencia goalkeeper started when Liverpool lost 4-1 to PSV at Anfield…
Galatasaray player to watch: Victor Osimhen
There's only one man it can possibly be, right? Many believe Victor Osimhen should be playing at a higher level than the Turkish Super League, given what he has achieved in his career. The Nigerian fired Napoli to the Serie A title in 2023-24, and scored 76 goals in 133 games for the Italians before falling out with the club. In just under two seasons in Turkey, Osimhen has netted in 55 times in 67 appearances, including once against Liverpool, as mentioned earlier.
Liverpool: last six games
March 6: Wolves 1-3 Liverpool (FA Cup)
March 3: Wolves 2-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
February 28: Liverpool 5-2 West Ham (Premier League)
February 22: Nottingham Forest 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
February 14:: Liverpool 3-0 Brighton (FA Cup)
February 11: Sunderland 0-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
Liverpool's current form
Liverpool have also been in decent form in recent weeks, with five wins from their last six games in all competitions. As ever, though, the focus is on the matches they didn't win. And losing 2-1 to Wolves, bottom of the Premier League, certainly didn't go without a few eyebrows being raised. .
Galatasaray: last six games
March 7: Besiktas 0-1 Galatasaray (Turkish Super League)
March 3: Alanyaspor 1-2 Galatasaray (Turkish Cup)
February 28: Galatasaray 3-1 Alanyaspor (Turkish Super League)
February 25: Juventus 3-2 Galatasaray (Champions League)
February 21: Konyaspor 2-1 Galatasaray (Turkish Super League)
February 17: Galatasaray 5-2 Juventus (Champions League)
Galatasaray's current form
Galatasaray head into today's game in a rich vein of form having won eight of their last 10 games in all competitions. They had back-to-back defeats in the middle of it, including a Champions League loss to Juventus, but they've bounced back with three wins in a row. Will they make it four?
Liverpool's arrival at Rams Park
A live blog wouldn't be a live blog without a clip of the two teams arriving at the stadium. You can see Galatasaray's arrival a little further down the page, here's Liverpool strutting their stuff.
Big names miss out for Galatasaray: Sané, Icardi and Gündogan on the bench
That said, Galatasaray's best-known players are almost certainly Leroy Sané, Mauro Icardi and Ilkay Gündogan. However, none of the three are in today's starting lineup, with the trio starting the game in the bench.
Former Premier League men start for Galatasaray
Premier League fans will see some familiar names in the Galatasaray lineup. Former Spurs defender Davinson Sánchez, ex-Arsenal midfielder Lucas Torreira and Mario Lemina, formerly of Fulham, Southampton and Wolves, all start for the Turks.
Liverpool’s Champions League results in 2025-26
League phase
Liverpool 3-2 Atlético Madrid
Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Liverpool 1-0 Real Madrid
Liverpool 1-4 PSV
Inter Milan 0-1 Liverpool
Marseille 0-3 Liverpool
Liverpool 6-0 Qarabag
How Liverpool reached the round of 16
Liverpool qualified for the round of 16 as the third-placed team in the league phase. The Premier League champions, who will be giving up that particular title this season, racked up a couple of big wins, thrashing Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 in Germany and Qarabag 6-0 at Anfield. They also registered narrow victories over Atlético, Real Madrid and Inter, but suffered a surprise loss away to Galatasaray and were stunned 4-1 by PSV Eindhoven on Merseyside.
Galatasaray’s Champions League results in 2025-26
League phase
Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 Galatasaray
Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
Galatasaray 3-1 Bodø/Glimt
Ajax 0-3 Galatasaray
Galatasaray 0-1 Union Saint-Gilloise
Monaco 1-0 Galatasaray
Galatasaray 1-1 Atlético Madrid
Manchester City 2-0 Galatasaray
Knockout phase playoffs
Galatasaray 5-2 Juventus
Juventus 3-2 Galatasaray
How Galatasaray reached the round of 16
Galatasaray finished in 20th spot in the league phase, which saw them qualify for the knockout phase playoffs despite a Matchday 8 defeat away to Manchester City. After being thrashed by Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening game, the Turks responded brilliantly with three straight wins, the first of which came against Liverpool. They only picked up one point from their final four matchups, but the work they had done earlier was enough to secure a playoff spot. Galatasaray even somehow managed to beat Bodø/Glimt, which City, Atlético Madrid and Inter Milan were all unable to do.
Who will the winners play in the next round?
The ‘new’ Champions League format (it’s still new-ish in the second season, right?) means Galatasaray and Liverpool already have an idea of who they could face in the quarterfinals and semifinals if they win in the round of 16.
Either PSG or Chelsea will be next up in the quarters.
And the bracket for the semifinals looks like this:
PSG/Chelsea/Galatasaray/Liverpool vs Real Madrid/Manchester City/Atalanta/Bayern Munich
What happens if there’s a tie?
Although a staple of the Champions League for most of its history, the away goals rule is no longer in use in any UEFA competition. If teams are level at the end of the second leg, 30 minutes of extra time (two periods of 15 minutes) will be played. If the score remains tied, a penalty shootout will determine the winner. I have to say, I really miss the away goals chaos, when a single goal could put the losing team into the lead in the tie. We didn't realise how good we had it.
Galatasaray team to play Liverpool
And Galatasaray aren't far behind in revealing how they'll start today's game:
Cakir; Singo, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Lang, Sara, Yilmaz; Osimhen.
Liverpool team to play Galatasaray
Liverpool are first to go with their XI for today's game!
Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz.
Arne Slot could soon head a list of Liverpool managers containing Kenny Dalglsh, Bob Paisley and Bill Shankly, bona fide club legends! Here's a little more context surrounding that potential record.
Arne Slot out to make Liverpool history in 100th game
Although Liverpool haven't had the season they would have been hoping for, at least in the Premier League, they are still fighting for two trophies - the Champions League and the FA Cup. Arne Slot has come under plenty of criticism this season, with his team well and truly out of the title race in England. Yet he could still make Liverpool history tonight - a victory will be his 63rd in his first 100 matches in change of the club, the most of any manager in their history.
Galatasaray hoping for repeat of league phase victory
As I mentioned right at the start, Galatasaray have already beaten Liverpool in Istanbul this season, which should give them plenty of belief going into this game. The Turks have been involved in some thrilling matchups this season, although that wasn't necessarily one of them. Striker Victor Osimhen settled the previous meeting in September with the only goal of the game from the penalty spot in the first half. After starting the season with seven wins in a row in all competitions, a second straight loss signalled the start of Liverpool’s struggles, which have continued for much of the campaign.
Arne Slot was definitely not anticipating being without Alisson Becker for one of the biggest games of Liverpool's season... until the next leg. Here's a little more on the Brazilian's injury, which might not prove too much of a blow in the long run.
Liverpool squad news: Alisson Becker out
Long-term injury victims Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, and Wataru Endo remain sidelined for Liverpool. Up until yesterday, it looked as if Federico Chiesa, who has only started five games all season, and teenage midfielder Trey Nyoni would be the only two absentees among those who have been playing for the Reds in recent weeks. However, Slot suffered a hammer blow when first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker suffered an injury in training, which rules him out of today's game. Giorgi Mamardashvili will take his place in goal and you can bet your bottom dollar I’ll be copying and pasting his name through the 90 minutes.
Galatasaray squad news
Stop what you're doing! This is 2026 and Galatasaray have no injured players. Incredible scenes. A full squad to choose from for Okan Buruk. Not many head coaches have been able to say that in recent times.
Want all that info - and plenty more about the round of 16 - all in the one place? Happy to oblige. Keep this page over the next couple of days to make sure you know exactly who's playing against who, and when.
Now onto to today's opening game...
When are the second legs of the round of 16?
We really don't have long to wait at all for the second legs, which take place next week. The schedule will be reversed, which means the games being played on Tuesday this week are on Wednesday next week, and vice versa.
Now, I know what you've been thinking reading that list of fixtures, especially if you're in the United States. This week's games aren't kicking off at the usual times, which is weird. What's going on there? Luckily, our Calum Roche has been wondering the same thing and has this simple explanation.
Follow Newcastle vs Barcelona on AS USA
You'll also be able to follow live text coverage of Newcastle vs Barcelona, which kicks off at 4pm ET / 1pm PT, right here on AS USA. I’ll let you know once my esteemed colleague Joe Brennan has that one up and running, which should be around 90 minutes or so before kickoff.
2025-26 Champions League round of 16: tomorrow’s first legs
And, of course, there is plenty of more action coming your way tomorrow, when the four other round of 16 ties will commence. This is what's on the menu.
- Bayer Leverkusen vs Arsenal, 1:45 p.m. ET
- PSG vs Chelsea, 4 p.m. ET
- Bodø/Glimt vs Sporting Clube, 4 p.m. ET
- Real Madrid vs Manchester City, 4 p.m. ET
2025-26 Champions League round of 16: today’s first legs
Of course, Galatasaray against Liverpool isn't the only game going on today, although it is the only one in the early time slot. Three other matchups are coming up a little bit later on.
- Galatasaray vs Liverpool, 1:45 p.m. ET
- Newcastle United vs Barcelona, 4 p.m. ET
- Atlético Madrid vs Tottenham Hotspur, 4 p.m. ET
- Atalanta vs Bayern Munich, 4 p.m. ET
What time does Galatasaray vs Liverpool kick off?
The game in Istanbul gets underway at 8:45 p.m. local time, which is 1:45 p.m. ET and 10:45 a.m. PT. At work and not able to watch the game for fear of being caught red-handed? Don't worry, we’ve got you covered with (almost) every kick of the ball.
Hello and welcome to live text coverage of Galatasaray vs Liverpool!
Hello and welcome to live text coverage of the first leg of the round of 16 Champions League tie between Galatasaray and Liverpool. Think the Turks won't be able to cause an upset? They’ve already beaten the Reds in Istanbul this season. The Slot machine will be out to show they’ve learned their lesson.
I’m Roddy and thanks for joining me for some Champions League goodness!
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