Liverpool face Galatasaray in their second Champions League game of the season on Tuesday night, with one former star who played for both clubs giving his opinion on the fixture
Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders thinks the atmosphere created by Galatasaray fans could play its part in their Champions League clash(Image: Getty Images)
A former Liverpool and Galatasaray star has warned that the ferocious home crowd in Istanbul could sway the officials during Tuesday evening’s Champions League showdown. Arne Slot’s side travel to Turkey on their next European adventure after beating Atletico Madrid 3-2 in their opening match in the competition.
The Reds head into the game off the back of their 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday. Galatasaray fans are well-known for their vociferous home support and ex-Liverpool striker Dean Saunders experienced that first hand after spending a year playing for the Turkish club in the mid-1990s.
The former Wales frontman believes the Reds will be well-prepared for the ferocious atmosphere as they look to get over their first top-flight loss of the campaign. However, he has raised concerns that match officials could be intimidated by the raucous noise.
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Saunders suggested a draw would be a good result for Liverpool, despite confidently declaring that not a single Galatasaray player would get into their starting XI.
Speaking to BestBettingSites.com, the ex-Wrexham and Wolves manager said: “Liverpool’s players have played in huge games before. They will know how to deal with pressure. At Galatasaray, I loved it there. It was a great club with unbelievable support.
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“A 7pm kick off would see the fans in the stadium by 12. Banging drums, red and yellow smoke everywhere. I played there sometimes and we couldn’t see the pitch under the yellow and red. We played Sparta Prague and I just felt sorry for them as they tried to cope.”
He added: “But the manager will tell his players the same thing. Whatever else is going on, it’s 11 v 11. It’s the same size pitch. Nobody is coming from the crowd to tackle you or save your shots. It’s all psychological, so put it out of your mind.
Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders is concerned the atmosphere at his old club Galatasaray could impact the match officials(Image: Liverpool Echo)
“The only worry is the referee getting wrapped up in the atmosphere and having a bad game, but that’s the only way it can get to you in a way you can’t control. Don’t let the crowd affect you. Play your normal game. There’s not a Galatasaray player who would get into Liverpool’s starting XI.”
Slot has rotated his squad on a number of occasions in recent weeks and is likely to do so again against Galatasaray. Saunders reckons who the manager picks to lead his frontline could be pivotal, with Hugo Ekitike back from suspension and Federico Chiesa now part of the Champions League squad
He added: “Arne Slot will be telling players to play their usual game, move the ball quickly, and quicker than your opponents, and we’ll have the brains to move to the right places. We have the strikers who can finish moves on, whatever the crowd does.
“It’ll be a tough night, but they just need to focus. Andy Robertson, for example, is going to have a chance to get in behind his opponent and he can make a goal for Hugo Ekitike. It’s the same across the pitch. Do the basics, fight, and you’ll be OK. A point in Istanbul is a good result, too, so there’s not too much pressure.”
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