Galatasaray away section: Guide for Liverpool fans

Liverpool are preparing for their second game of the Champions League phase this week, and a trip to Istanbul to take on Galatasaray awaits.

It's hardly the fixture Arne Slot would have chosen for his side to play immediately after their first defeat of the season, but it also represents an opportunity to get themselves back on track.

If you're a Liverpool fan making the trip over to Istanbul, here's everything you need to know about the city, Rams Park and the Galatasaray away section.

What is Istanbul like for away fans?

Over the years, Istanbul has built a reputation of being an intimidating city to visit for away fans. While that may have been the case twenty years ago, the city is now a lot more welcoming and there is plenty to do as a visiting fan from drinking and eating in local bars and restaurants to checking out local tourist attractions such as the Hagia Sophia Mosque and the Cisterna Basilica.

Istanbul is a huge city so it is quite easy to get lost if you aren't careful. The best way to navigate the city is to make use of public transport – there is a modern overground tram system and a subway which you should utilise to get around Istanbul quickly and efficiently.

Where to drink for Tottenham fans in Istanbul?

Istanbul is a large city, so there are countless bars and pub options for Tottenham fans. Here are three of the best:

• Corner Irish Pub – Asmalı Mescit Meşrutiyet Cd. No:11/A Galatasaray, 34430 Beyoğlu/İstanbul
• The United Pub – Sinanpaşa, Şht. Asım Cd. No:26, 34353 Beşiktaş/İstanbul
• Red River Pub – Hoca Paşa, Hüdavendigar Cd. No:44, 34110 Fatih/İstanbul

Where to watch football in Istanbul

For fans staying in Istanbul for the week, there are plenty of sports bars in the city that will be showing all the Champions League action on Wednesday night. Some of the best options include Rounders Bar (Cankurtaran, Akbıyık Cd., 34122 Fatih/İstanbul) and the U2 Istanbul Irish Pub (Şehit Muhtar, Bekar Sk. No:21, 34435 Beyoğlu/İstanbu). Both pubs are located in the city centre and are easy to get to via public transport.

What will the Galatasaray away section be like for Liverpool fans?

Liverpool fans will be tucked away in the upper tier of the south-east corner of Rams Park on the 7th November. Visiting supporters enter the stadium via gates 418, 419, 420 and 421, and Liverpool fans will be urged to get to the Galatasaray away section early to avoid lengthy queues at the turnstiles, as security checks will be stringent.

Once inside the stadium, the away fans can expect a hostile welcome from the home fans around them, and the segregation will be heavy. Despite Liverpool being famed for having an impressive travelling support, it's unlikely they will be heard during the match, with the atmosphere at the stadium expected to be off the scale given the magnitude of the occasion.

As a modern stadium (built in 2011), the view from the away section is good, meaning fans won't have a problem following the action, particularly when Liverpool are kicking towards that end of the pitch. There is a comfortable amount of space between each seat, although it is anticipated that all away fans will be standing throughout the match.

How many Liverpool fans are going to Istanbul?

Tottenham were allocated 2,502 tickets in the Galatasaray away section, but all tickets were sold out through the initial sales process. Some fans will travel without tickets, meaning there could be as many as 3,000 Liverpool fans in Istanbul on the day of the game.

How Liverpool fans can get to Rams Park

Getting to Rams Park isn't the most straightforward of tasks as it is situated 12km away from Istanbul City Centre. As a result, the prospect of walking to the stadium is a no-go unless you set off three hours before kick off.

The easiest way to get to the stadium is to get on the metro from the City Centre to a stop called “Seyrantepe”. This stop is on metro line 2 and is accessible directly from popular central stops such as “Sishane” and “Taksim”. Many fans will choose to spend matchday close to these metro stations so they can get to the stadium with minimal fuss when kick off approaches.

If you are really stuck, then you can always get a taxi to the stadium. However, expect delays as traffic in Istanbul on a matchday is significant, to say the least.