Liverpool were drawn against Turkish champions Galatasaray during Friday’s Champions League draw.
The Reds knew they would face one of either Gala or Atletico Madrid in the last-16, and will now head to Istanbul for a second time this season.
Although Liverpool lost 1-0 in the League Phase match in September, Arne Slot will be quietly confident of making it through to the quarter-finals. However, if the Reds do get there, they look set for an incredibly tough run to the final in Budapest.
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Liverpool should get past Galatasaray
One thing which is massively working against Liverpool during their last-16 tie is that they have never beaten Galatasaray away from home.
The Reds have only recorded one win from five matches against Gala in any stadium, and they will need to add at least one more to that column in order to progress here.
Curtis Jones (2nd L) and Florian Wirtz (2nd R) of Liverpool sadden during the UEFA Champions League week 2 match between Galatasaray and Liverpool at RAMS Park
Photo by Hakan Akgun/Anadolu via Getty Images
Nevertheless, Liverpool should be feeling confident of progressing into the last eight. Slot’s team are superior to the Turks and that quality should really shine through across two legs.
With the second leg being played at Anfield, Liverpool can even afford a poor result at RAMS Park, knowing they are able to turn things around at home. In terms of the two available draws on Friday, this was the best-case outcome.
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Liverpool face tough quarter-final prospect
The one caveat to Galatasaray being a favourable opponent for Liverpool is that it now means they have been placed on the harder side of the draw.
If they make it to the quarter-finals, the Reds will probably face a rematch with champions PSG. Although the chance for revenge against the Parisiens would be sweet, they are still arguably the best team left in the competition.
The alternative is better for Liverpool, but not by much. The Reds have had some epic Champions League tussles with Chelsea over the years, and if both English sides make it through, they will then face each other.
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Give us your early predictions for the last-16 clash with Galatasaray
Victor Osimhen warms up for Galatasaray (Credit: Getty Images/Gerrit van Keulen/Soccrates).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Gerrit van Keulen/Soccrates
Semi-finals to get even more difficult
Things do not look much easier for Liverpool further down the line either. One of Real Madrid, Manchester City or Bayern Munich are likely to await in the semi-finals, and don’t rule out Atalanta, who thrashed the Reds in the Europa League two years ago.
Liverpool could end up facing PSG and Real Madrid along the way to the final, or Chelsea and Man City. Throw Bayern into the mix and you can feel the Reds’ chances slipping away.
Having said that, a Champions League run is always more satisfying when you can take the scalp of some top teams along the way. If Liverpool make it to the final they will truly have deserved it.
On the flip side of the draw, Arsenal have a nice looking run towards the semi-finals, with Bayer Leverkusen, Sporting or Bodo/Glimt unlikely to cause Mikel Arteta’s side too many problems.
The Reds could then meet the Gunners in the final, with Barcelona arguably the strongest-looking alternative. Overall, Slot will fancy his chances of taking Liverpool into a Champions League quarter-final for the first time since 2022, but getting beyond that has just gotten a whole lot more difficult.
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