Liverpool need to bounce back from Tuesday's dismal defeat to Galatasaray if they are to avoid a humiliating Champions League exit
UEFA have banned Galatasaray selling away tickets for their Champions League second leg against Liverpool.
UEFA have banned Galatasaray selling away tickets for their Champions League second leg against Liverpool.(Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Liverpool have taken the decision to open the away end to home supporters for their Champions League second-leg against Galatasaray.
It comes after the Turkish side were banned following a sanction from governing body UEFA after crowd disturbances during their playoff win over Juventus. Their knockout win over the Serie A side booked their place in the Round of 16 against the Reds but UEFA said that their travelling support threw objects and lit fireworks.
As a result, Galatasaray supporters have been banned from attending the second-leg at Anfield as they take a slender one-goal lead to Merseyside thanks to Mario Lemina's goal. They were fined £34,800 and banned from selling tickets.
READ MORE: 'I don't think Liverpool press Arne Slot panic button but it is obvious what he has to do now'
The decision wasn't universally received, however, as Galatasaray head coach Ozan Buruk slammed the decision.
He said: "We have appealed the penalty imposed by UEFA. I think it will be announced today.
"I don't find it fair either. It's not fair to look at it just from the fans' perspective. How the police behave there is also very important."
Liverpool need to overturn their one-goal deficit in order to progress to the quarter-finals and avoid a European shock, as well as an early exit.
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The Reds were handed a tough away draw against Manchester City in the FA Cup, while they face an uphill task in battling for Champions League qualification next season.
In what was an uninspiring display in Istanbul, Arne Slot faces fresh pressure over getting a performance from his side as they sit 90 minutes from shock exit.
The Dutchman said: "I wouldn't say frustration but that's a situation we are facing and I'm responsible for that. I'm facing already large parts of this season with getting the ball to the final third, getting them towards moments where you think you can get more.
"But today we've created enough to score a goal. And, of course, we scored one but that one was overturned by the VAR.
"I don't think they had a lot of chances in the second half, did they? No. They have good players and they're a good team, so they will always create chances.
"They scored five against Juventus here at home, so that tells you what they're capable of. We've had very good chances, one-on-one to the goalkeeper and unfortunately couldn't score.
"But again, as I have to give credit to how they scored their goal, I have to give credit to the way they defend as well because they keep on fighting, throwing themselves in front of the balls.
"And in that moment when Hugo [Ekitike] went one-v-one, it was the goalkeeper [there] to make a very important save.
"But what I do know is now it's half-time. We've lost here twice with 1-0 and the good thing is the next game is not played here. It is played at Anfield and our fans can create a similar atmosphere.
"I don't think it's possible that if I look at the last two games that so many things can go against us as happened in the last two games, although sometimes I question that if I look at this season. But I think things will be more normal in a home game for us.
"I also think we can improve our performance and that, with the help of our fans, has to lead to a big game in a week."
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