According to sources, Liverpool have been drawn against Galatasaray in the Champions League round of 16. The first leg will be played in Istanbul on March 10 or 11, and the second leg at Anfield on March 17 or 18. More specifically, sources indicate the first leg against Galatasaray is scheduled for March 10 at 5:45 PM at RAMS Park, with the second leg at Anfield scheduled for March 18 at 8:00 PM.
Sources report that Liverpool finished third in the Champions League league phase. If Liverpool progress, sources say they will face either Paris Saint-Germain or Chelsea in the quarter-finals. Sources note that Paris Saint-Germain finished 11th in the league phase and beat Monaco 5-4 on aggregate in the play-off.
Liverpool's potential semi-final opponents, according to sources, are Manchester City, Real Madrid, Atalanta, or Bayern Munich. Sources report that Bayern Munich finished second in the league phase, three points behind Arsenal. Sources indicate that Liverpool cannot meet Arsenal, Tottenham, Newcastle, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Sporting CP, Bodo/Glimt, or Bayer Leverkusen until the final.
' He added, 'We know in the away leg we will have to perform better than the last time we were in Istanbul back in September. ' Slot also expressed excitement, stating, 'But the main feeling is excitement because this is what we worked so hard for in the league stage. ' Liverpool club ambassador Ian Rush noted, 'At this stage, every game is difficult.
' He highlighted Liverpool's home advantage, saying, '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. ' Aftonbladet reports that Liverpool lost 1-0 to Galatasaray in the Champions League round-of-16 first leg in Istanbul.
According to the same source, Mario Lemina scored the winning goal for Galatasaray from a set piece. Aftonbladet also states that Liverpool had a goal controversially ruled out by VAR after Ibrahima Konate helped bundle the ball home. As of December 30, Aftonbladet notes that Liverpool had conceded 12 set-piece goals, the most in Europe's top five leagues, and they parted ways with their set-piece coach in January.
Aftonbladet reports that Liverpool lost to Galatasaray by the same 1-0 scoreline as they did in Istanbul during the league phase. The same source states that Florian Wirtz returned to the starting XI after an injury but performed poorly, and Hugo Ekitike missed a big chance to equalize for Liverpool in the second half. According to Aftonbladet, Galatasaray will have the advantage heading into the second leg at Anfield.
What specific tactical adjustments Arne Slot will make for the second leg is not yet determined.