Liverpool Face Fresh Setbacks Ahead of Galatasaray Showdown
Liverpool’s 2025/26 campaign has already delivered plenty of drama, and the latest twist comes at a crucial time. After starting the season unbeaten, Arne Slot’s side suffered their first setback in a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace — a result that exposed cracks just as they prepare for a high-stakes Champions League trip to Istanbul. Slot accepted Palace’s superiority with calm honesty, but now there’s no time to dwell: Galatasaray await in the infamous Rams Park, one of Europe’s most intimidating arenas.
The Reds’ preparations have been disrupted by more injury blows. Giovanni Leoni’s ACL tear remains a long-term absence, and now 19-year-old striker Jayden Danns has been ruled out after limping off in an under-21s match against Ipswich. He had been on the fringes of the senior squad and offered energy from the bench, but his setback leaves Slot with fewer attacking options in what promises to be a fiery contest.
There is some good news: Hugo Ekitike returns from suspension and could be drafted in to start, allowing Alexander Isak to be managed carefully with Chelsea looming at the weekend. Isak is still short of peak fitness, lasting just over 80 minutes at Selhurst Park, so Slot may need to juggle his forwards wisely.
Another subplot is the inclusion of Federico Chiesa, who was belatedly added to Liverpool’s European squad after UEFA’s new injury rule allowed Leoni to be replaced. The Italian, initially left out, now has the chance to make his mark. His experience could prove decisive in the kind of high-pressure occasion that Galatasaray specialise in.
But the hosts have their own uncertainties. Victor Osimhen has returned from an ankle issue, though coach Okan Buruk admits the Nigerian striker is still playing through pain. Even at reduced capacity, Osimhen is a handful — and his record of 37 goals last season shows just how decisive he can be. For a Liverpool defence already stretched, keeping him quiet will be no easy task.
The atmosphere at Rams Park will be as hostile as ever, with Galatasaray fans renowned for turning the ground into a cauldron. Slot’s men must remain composed, lean on leaders like Virgil van Dijk, Alisson, and Mohamed Salah, and show the resilience that defines great European nights.
Beyond the tactical battles, this fixture feels like a test of Liverpool’s character. The defeat to Palace was a stumble, but back-to-back poor results — especially with Chelsea up next — could shift the mood quickly. Injuries to squad players like Danns may seem minor, but depth often decides Champions League campaigns.
For Slot, still shaping his side in the post-Klopp era, Tuesday’s clash is about more than three points. It is a chance to prove Liverpool can weather adversity, rotate smartly, and respond with authority in one of the game’s toughest environments.
As kick-off approaches, the narrative is clear: Galatasaray dangerous, Liverpool hurting, and both with something to prove. Whether this night adds to the club’s proud European story or becomes another setback depends on how the Reds face the storm in Istanbul.
