Liverpool vs Galatasary
Champions League Season 2006-07 Group Stage, Matchday 2
Kick off: 7:45pm

Liverpool host Turkish side Galatasaray at Anfield this Wednesday night in the Champions League group stage. It is the second match in the group stages with both sides having drawn their opening games 0-0 with PSV and Bordeaux.

The last time the two sides met was in the same stage of Europe’s top competition in the 2000-01 season when both games ended in draws too - 0-0 at Anfield and 1-1 in Istanbul.

Familiar names in the opposition squad include former Red Rigobert Song (although actually injured with a hamstring problem for the match), midfielder Junichi Inamoto (also sidelined) and star striker Hakan Sukur.

Gala come into the game having lost 3-1 at the weekend to Trabzonspor.

The return tie between the two sides will take place on December 5th in Istanbul, at the Ataturk Stadium.

Team News:

Jamie Carragher will return to the Liverpool eleven at the expense of either Daniel Agger or Sami Hyypia. Most likely to be Agger, therefore giving him a rest after a good run in the side. In midfield Luis Garcia could replace Gonzales on the left. Up front Peter Crouch is expected to come in for either Bellamy or Kuyt, most likely Bellamy. Benitez may also opt to rest and rotate others.

Probable Teams:

Liverpool: Pepe Reina; Steve Finnan, Sami Hyypiä, Jamie Carragher, John Arne Riise; Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Mohamed Sissoko, Luis García; Peter Crouch, Dirk Kuyt.

Galatasaray: Faryd Mondragón; Sabrı Sarıoğlu, Emre Aşık, Ferhat Öztorun, Stjepan Tomas; Okan Buruk, Ayhan Akman, Hasan Şaş, Arda Turan; Hakan Şükür, Ümit Karan.