Galatasaray fans storm Liverpool with fireworks despite Champions League ban

Galatasaray fans have descended on Liverpool despite being banned from attending their Champions League clash at Anfield on Wednesday.

UEFA confirmed earlier this month that Galatasaray supporters would be unable to attend the round-of-16 second-leg clash due to the ‘throwing of objects, lighting of fireworks and crowd disturbances’.

Fans of the Turkish champions were penalised for their behaviour during their 3-2 defeat at Juventus in the play-off round last month.

Galatasaray were also handed a €40,000 (£34,7000) fine as part of UEFA’s Appeals Body ruling.

Defying orders

However, that has not stopped some Galatasaray fans from making the journey to Merseyside to make their presence be known.

Video clips surfaced on social media showing fans letting off flares in the city centre 24 hours before the crucial second leg.

The clips are likely to cause concern over whether travelling fans have got their hands on tickets among Liverpool supporters in what could be a huge security risk.

Galatasaray take a 1-0 lead into Wednesday night’s clash after Mario Lemina’s winner in Istanbul last week.

In Victor Osimhen, the Turkish giants boast one of European football’s in-form strikers.

The Reds know all about his threat after his winner against Arne Slot’s side in the league phase back in September.

And while Galatasaray appear to have Liverpool’s number this season in Istanbul, the Nigerian believes his side have what it takes to see off the Premier League champions on their own turf.

“We are a family together with the Galatasaray fans. We did a very good job (in the first leg),” Osimhen said.

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“I think we can hurt Liverpool in the second leg. We have done a good job so far.”

Home comforts

Meanwhile, Liverpool boss Slot is calling on the club’s supporters to help them get over the line at a sold out Anfield and hopes home advantage will count for something.

“What of course makes it difficult is we’ve played them already twice and we lost twice against them,” Slot said.

“The good thing is that now for the first time we play at home and we have the support of our fans, who will be supportive again tomorrow night, because that’s what they’ve always been and will always be for this club.

“What I liked after we conceded the 1-1 [against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday], I think the players showed immediately the commitment they have, they sprinted back in a counter moment with seven or eight players to make sure we didn’t concede the 2-1 and a moment later they sprinted forward with five, six or seven to have a five-v-two or a four-v-two on the other end.

“So that tells you that they are willing to fight, as they’ve done this whole season and as long as I’m here.

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“I think there haven’t been many games where we’ve been outworked. A few, but not many. There haven’t been many games that we haven’t created more chances than the other team have created.

“A few, but even less than being outworked. So, our players will show that mentality again that they showed after the 1-1.

“And I’m 100 per cent sure that our fans will be like they always are, especially on European nights like tomorrow.”

The winner of Wednesday’s tie will face holders Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-final.