The Reds will try to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the tie tonight
Areas of Liverpool city centre turned into a sea of red yesterday (Tuesday, March 17) as Galatasaray fans made themselves heard and seen when the team coach arrived on Victoria Street. Hundreds of Galatasaray supporters have travelled to Liverpool from Turkey ahead of the second leg of their last-16 Champions League clash at Anfield this evening, Wednesday, March 18.
Some supporters have travelled thousands of miles despite UEFA having already confirmed that Galatasaray supporters will not be able to attend the match against Liverpool at Anfield. The ban comes after crowd disturbances during their game with Juventus in the previous round of the competition.
Videos taken by the ECHO last night showed supporters waiting on Victoria Street as they chanted and held flares. Fireworks were also set off by a number of supporters.
As Galatasaray players departed the team coach, they were greeted by chants as their supporters tried to give them encouragement ahead of this evening's match.
Galatasaray fans set off flares in Liverpool city centre
Galatasaray fans set off flares in Liverpool city centre (Image: Liverpool ECHO)
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The Reds will try to overturn a 1-0 deficit in the tie after suffering defeat at RAMS Park in Istanbul last Tuesday, thanks to an early goal from Mario Lemina.
Galatasaray have won just one of their 12 away games against English teams in all competitions, but Liverpool have lost twice against Galatasaray already this season.
A fixture against Paris Saint-Germain awaits the winners of the tie, in the quarter-finals of the competition. Liverpool manager Arne Slot has come under a lot of pressure due to recent results. Speaking in the press conference ahead of this evening's match, the Liverpool boss said: "Of course I feel pressure, we all feel pressure. In this industry every single day there's pressure.
Galatasaray fans setting off flares and fireworks on Victoria Street
Galatasaray fans setting off flares and fireworks on Victoria Street(Image: UGC)
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"We are working at a beautiful club with great history and we can achieve quarter-finals of CL. But it's also nice to have this pressure as it would otherwise mean we are out or at a lower level. We embrace this pressure."
Slot is relying on the backing of fans this evening, as he said: "It's [YNWA] a beautiful song and that immediately gives us the right vibe. My complete focus is on preparing the players as best as I can, making sure we give ourselves a big chance of winning the game. Working incredibly hard to get the result we need.
"If you want to look at it, we always feel we have the support of the fans. We never feel we walk alone and we won't feel that tomorrow."