Liverpool is not easy to win in Turkey

The first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals is an opportunity for Liverpool to revenge the defeat against Galatasaray in the qualifying round last October. But that is not an easy task, and if Liverpool does not lose in Turkey, it would already be a success.

1. In the two matches against Wolves last week, Liverpool delivered contrasting results. Arne Slot's team lost 1-2 in the Premier League, but in the FA Cup rematch, Liverpool easily defeated the opponent 3-1, even though both matches took place at Molineux Stadium.

Why did Slot's team show such different faces against the same opponent? Simply, Liverpool faces serious personnel issues across all three lines. On the attack, when Alexander Isak was just beginning to integrate into the playing style at Anfield, the Swedish striker suffered a long-term injury. Similarly, Florian Wirtz, who only recently returned after a back injury last month, had been performing quite well before his injury. Mohamed Salah has not regained his usual form since returning from AFCON, even though the Egyptian forward scored in both encounters with Wolves. It is not hard to notice moments when the Egyptian striker disappears on the field. Liverpool's defense is clearly too thin, especially at the center-back position, where Van Dijk-Konate have to endure continuous matches, though Van Dijk maintains stability. If either of these center-backs faces health issues or suspensions, Liverpool's defense will immediately struggle. What about the midfield? Ryan Gravenberch disappoints despite Slot's preference to start him. The brightest spot in Liverpool's midfield currently lies with Dominik Szoboszlai. Even though the Hungarian midfielder often plays out of his preferred position to compensate for personnel shortages, he maintains stable performance and has scored important goals multiple times. Also, Slot's impact has not been sharp yet. This causes Liverpool's performance to fluctuate. They still have a chance to compete for a Champions League spot next season, but playing more consistently and advancing further in this season's competitions is not simple.

2. Tonight, Liverpool will travel to Istanbul to play the first leg of the Champions League quarter-finals against Galatasaray. This is a very familiar opponent because Liverpool narrowly lost to this same opponent in the Champions League qualifying round in a match last October. The desire for revenge from Slot's team is very clear, aiming to bring confidence to the fans.

Personal opinion suggests it is not easy for Liverpool to leave RAMS Park with a victory. Galatasaray is not a weak team in continental competitions. Last year's victory over Liverpool showed that the team under coach Okan Buruk is an experienced collective with many players who have competed for major European clubs. The way Galatasaray defeated Juventus in the first knockout round carries a weighty warning for Liverpool. Playing at home is also an advantage, and Galatasaray will strive to win to secure an advantage for the predicted difficult second leg. The reason is that Galatasaray faces a penalty where their fans are not allowed to attend Anfield in the second leg. This is a consequence of UEFA's penalty for actions like firing flares and throwing foreign objects during the match against Juventus in Italy. This provides a significant advantage for Liverpool, as they will not face pressure from away supporters.

Therefore, Liverpool will aim more for an overall victory rather than trying to gain an advantage at all costs in the first leg. Slot's team needs to find a way not to lose to Galatasaray. A draw result could be considered a success for Liverpool. Even if Liverpool accidentally loses by a minimal margin, as in the qualifying round match, it would not be a disaster.