The Champions League draw took place on Friday morning, and Liverpool were paired with Galatasaray
A general view of the Anfield tunnel ahead of Liverpool vs PSV in the Champions League
Liverpool will take on Galatasaray in the Champions Leagyue(Image: (Carl Recine/Getty Images))
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The dates and kick-off times for Liverpool’s Champions League last-16 tie with Galatasaray have been confirmed by UEFA. The Reds will face the Super Lig club at RAMS Park in the first-leg on Tuesday, March 10, with the game set to get underway at 5.45pm.
The return at Anfield is set for Wednesday, March 18, but the game will instead kick-off at 8pm. Should the Reds overcome Okan Buruk’s side, they will then face Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea in the quarter-finals.
A tie with one of Real Madrid, Manchester City, Atalanta or Bayern Munich then awaits Liverpool should they make it through to the semi-final stage.
And reacting to Friday’s draw, Reds boss Slot said: “Given the possibilities of the draw, we got exactly what we anticipated and that is a tough last-16 draw against an opponent we have faced once already this season.
“We know in the away leg we will have to perform better than the last time we were in Istanbul back in September. That is our immediate challenge in this tie, especially as we know Galatasaray had such a positive result against Juventus to reach the last 16.
“But the main feeling is excitement because this is what we worked so hard for in the league stage. We wanted to be here and now we want to make the most of being here.
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Liverpool head coach Arne Slot during a press conference.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
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“We have important games in other competitions before the Champions League comes back around of course, so hopefully when the tie arrives we will be as ready for it as we can be.”
While club ambassador Ian Rush, speaking to UEFA, said: "At this stage, every game is difficult. Galatasaray had a good win against Juventus.
"They scored seven goals in two games and I can see there being plenty of goals in the game. I think our advantage is that the second leg is at home. Fantastic atmosphere, and it depends on the result in the first game.
"I think the atmosphere at Anfield is second to none and, hopefully, that will come into act as well.
"You have PSG, Chelsea, Man City, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich - that side of the draw is hardest, but if you are going to win it, you have got to beat them all on the way."
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