Just a walk around Istanbul, past the iconic Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque on the banks of the Bosphorus where Europe meets Asia, is enough to stir the memories for Liverpool fans.
It was this bustling and downright bonkers Turkish city that hosted one of the most incredible nights in this club’s history.
May 2005, just down the road at the Ataturk Stadium – also home to the greatest night in Manchester City‘s history – when Liverpool came from 3-0 down in the final to beat AC Milan for European Cup No5.
It is often forgotten that the Reds – led at the time by Rafa Benitez with a team starring Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher and Xabi Alonso – actually finished only fifth in the Premier League that season. Who cares? They were kings of Europe.
Two decades and a bit on, they are back in Istanbul. Not for the first time by any stretch – they were here just over five months ago and lost 1-0 in this very stadium. But the circumstances are similar: a tough league season has made the continental competition top priority.
So why shouldn’t Liverpool believe they can win it?
Liverpool return to Istanbul to take on Galatasary in the Champion League, having already lost to them in the competition this season
But they have saved their best football for the Champions League and are confident going into Tuesday’s game
There are many reasons for fans to delay the booking of flights and hotels for the grand final in Budapest, of course, with on-pitch domestic vulnerabilities turning them from a formidable outfit to a bipolar team with many sub-par performances.
Yet in Europe, it has been rather different, save for a couple of shaky episodes including their 1-0 loss here in September and 4-1 defeat by PSV Eindhoven, the nadir of a blip-cum-crisis that had boss Arne Slot on trial with pundits and fans alike.
Liverpool have beaten both teams from Spain’s capital, making 15-time champions Real Madrid look bang average and also swatting past Atletico at ease. They rocked up at Inter Milan and Marseille, two cauldron-like atmospheres, to win to nil and also thrashed Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1.
It has unquestionably been a failure of a season in the league but Liverpool have saved their best football for the Champions League.
So, again: why shouldn’t Liverpool believe they can win this competition or, at the very least, have a run to the thick end?
‘It is definitely my dream right now,’ said Argentinian midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. ‘It is a World Cup year, why not win it twice?
‘But (winning the) Champions League is one of the most important goals this season. We have a team that can reach that and win it.
‘It’s been a tricky and challenging season for all of us.’
Liverpool midfielder Alexxis Mac Allister has admitted that winning the Champions League is a ‘dream’ for him this season
This trip is no easy feat. Liverpool lost here to a Victor Osimhen penalty in the league phase and the Turkish leaders toppled Juventus in the play-off round, winning 3-0 in the home leg. They also beat Ajax and Bodo/Glimt (no easy feat) in the league phase.
From experience, RAMS Park is one of the most intimidating atmospheres in football. The ear-splitting noise is enough to make experienced players second-guess themselves as Galatasaray play up to the old ‘Welcome to Hell’ sentiment.
‘These fans over here are very impressive, we noticed that when we played here,’ said Slot. ‘The good thing is we’ve experienced it already once now.
‘For us it was new. When you have the ball, the whistling is so loud, so loud! That was new for me and even for all of my experienced players.’
Slot will bring up his century of games managed at the club and will be the most successful boss in Reds history after 100 if he wins.
‘It makes me really proud that I became Liverpool manager and that it’s going to be my 100th game,’ said the Reds boss. ‘I don’t think I have a bad track record although sometimes you get a different feeling about that if I have to listen to everything!’
Liverpool will be without goalkeeper Alisson who ‘felt something’ in training on Monday morning and did not fly to Turkey. The club are hopeful he will be fit to return against Tottenham on Sunday in the league. Forward Federico Chiesa is also missing after feeling unwell.
