That 1996 flag-planting affair stood as the greatest act by any Liverpool-minded figure in the grand city of Istanbul until … well, I’ll not insult your intelligence by developing that point any further. Just as well referee Manuel Mejuto González fell for Sami Hyypia’s puppy-dog eyes early in the second half, though, huh?
Pre-match postbag. “Hoping to see Slotto run out to the centre circle and plonk a dirty great YNWA flag there to show he, us and them all mean business” – Ian Copestake
He’s making an oblique reference to this iconic moment in Galatasaray history, isn’t he, readers. The video below is well worth six minutes of your time. Not least because Graeme Souness’s pay-off at the very end is priceless.
Liverpool make five changes to their starting XI from the 3-1 FA Cup win at Wolves last Friday. Alisson is injured so Giorgi Mamardashvili takes his place in goal. Milos Kerkez replaces Andy Robertson at left back. Ibrahima Konaté returns in central defence, so Joe Gomez moves to right back, with Curtis Jones dropping to the bench. Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo make way for Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.
Galatasaray: Cakir, Singo, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs, Torreira, Lemina, Baris Yilmaz, Gabriel Sara, Lang, Osimhen.
