Liverpool need to be at their best in the Champions League this week to put behind them what is a miserable record in Istanbul barring that famous night in 2005.
We all know what happened in Istanbul that evening against AC Milan. The Reds came back from three down, won on penalties and the rest is history.
However, when it comes to playing in the Turkish city in general, it’s safe to say Liverpool are NOT that impressive.
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Predicted XI Liverpool vs Galatasaray
Predicted XI Liverpool vs Galatasaray
Liverpool’s record in Istanbul ahead of facing Galatasaray
The Reds have got a big chance to salvage something from this season and Arne Slot will be looking at the Champions League as the ideal tonic.
Unfortunately, Liverpool are going to need to overturn a dismal record in Istanbul to ensure a safe passage through.
In fact, we have to go back to 2010 for the last time the Reds triumphed over 90 minutes in Turkey as a 1-0 win over Trabzonspor at least broke the curse of the country in general.
Galatasaray-vs-Liverpool-UEFA-Champions-League-2025-26-MD2
Photo by BURAK BASTURK/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images
However, when it comes to Istanbul, things are far more bleak. Putting aside the famous night in 2005, Liverpool have never actually won.
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Furthermore, they’ve never kept a clean sheet against Galatasaray. A 1-1 draw in 2002 was followed by the big night against AC Milan.
Since then, the Reds have lost 3-2 in 2006, and then lost 1-0 earlier this season. Indeed, even the two times Liverpool have travelled to face Besiktas, they’ve both ended in defeat.
In the here and now, it’s something that Arne Slot and his players have got to overcome. Yes, history can sometimes play a part in how a team goes into a game and the feeling they have.
But this Liverpool team should be more than good enough to get a result of some sort in Istanbul this time around. A win would be huge, of course. But even if they can’t win, a welcome draw would help ahead of the return at Anfield.
It feels like a big few weeks for the Reds. The league title is long gone. However, success in Europe is always something Reds fans clamour for and if they can get the monkey off their back in Turkey this week, then it sets the club up nicely for another run at the Champions League.
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