Ahead of Wednesday night’s Champions League game, a look at the teams:

Liverpool

Two home wins on the trot against pre-season European competition hopefuls. Two clean sheets. Five goals scored, two from a particular Dutchman. two of them long-range beauties. Liverpool will go into this game relaxed confident, knowing that with the tricky away tie with PSV already out of the way, the pressure is off, with Bordeaux unlikely to cause sleepless nights. In fact the home side’s fans will go into the game at Anfield looking forward to the return to one Ataturk stadium, Istanbul than fearing the visiting Turkish League champions.

Rafa has the welcome headache of several decisions to make. In midfield Gerrard and Alonso are likely to start. Garcia could join them as he always looks a better player in Europe but Pennant is also in line for a recall having missed the last two games. Riise could also play on the left-hand side and be given a chance for another rocket. The indefatigable Momo Sissoko may sit on the bench for a res- …well just for the sake of it, while Zenden might be used in a European game again.

In defence Carragher should start with Hyypia in place of Agger who has now had a run of starts, Stephen Warnock may also be given a start to prove Rafa meant it when he prevented him from leaving to Blackburn in the deal that would have brought in Lucas Neill. The man who Neill would have competed with, Finnan is one of only two certainties given Rafa’s rotation policy, goalkeeper Pepe Reina being the other.

So heres my final guess at wednesday’s lineup (with Rafa its never more than that):

Reina
Finnan-Hyypia-Carragher-Warnock
Pennant/Sissoko-Alonso-Gerrard-Gonzalez/Garica
Crouch-Garcia/Bellamy

Men to Watch: Gerrard, Alonso- it goes without saying, Bellamy if he plays has a point to prove.

Galatasaray

The reigning Turkish champions have traditionally been a team to fear in European competition though it mainly stemmed from the simmering atmosphere generated in Turkey at the Ali Sami Yen which is no longer up to standard of the continent’s competition (the Ataturk stadium will therefore be the venue for the return fixture). The Turks will come to Anfield to fight for every ball, (expect yellow cards and the appearance of Momo Sissoko), and to supply the ball to Hasan Sas, Hakan Sukur and Umit Karan to fashion some chances.

Men to Watch: This Galatasaray side still features the talismanic Hakan Sukur, who is still the major goal threat despite his advancing years. Other notables include fellow striker Karan and Sas, the tricky winger who looked set for a big money move following his dazzling performances at World Cup 2002 in Korea & Japan. Junichi Inamoto also starred in that tournament and after ultimately flopping in England will be eager to prove himself against one of the Premiership’s best midfields. Former Red Riogobert Song is now the best defender in the Turkish league and should recieve recognition of the fact from the Kop, although not as much as Spurs‘ Danny Murphy recieved on the weekend.

SoccerLens match prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Galatasaray

Liverpool fans expecting a rout may be dissapointed, as Rafa may look for a controlled display of football. Galatasaray should not offer too much of an attacking threat but do not put it past them to score a long-range stunner or from a set piece.