What to expect in Istanbul

Watch tonight's game live on LFC TV Online>>

Liverpool coming to Turkey - and especially Istanbul - is always a special occasion, and it is not only because of the good memories of the Reds miraculously winning the European Cup for the fifth time in 2005.

Having seen every single game Liverpool have played in Turkey, except the Trabzonspor quest in 1976, I have witnessed how fans here have tried to take it to the next level when it comes to welcoming the Reds.

Creating an atmosphere in Liverpool games is important for local supporters because, in my opinion, they feel the Reds have the best fans in Europe - and that only Turkish fans are on par with them.

That is why the already-boisterous Turkish fans try to raise their game when the men from L4 come to town - last season's electric atmosphere at the Trabzonspor game can be recalled, while I believe 2007's Champions League match at Besiktas is still at the forefront of everybody's minds.

Tonight, the good spectacle will not only be on the stands, though. Galatasaray will take this match really seriously, even if it is a friendly fixture.

Firstly, this is one of the few occasions that Gala will get to play a top European club this season seeing as the Istanbul team is out of continental competition for only the second time in the last two decades.

That stemmed from one of the club's worst-ever league seasons, which brings us to another reason why Galatasaray will not be joking around.

Following a dismal campaign that saw three coaches, including Frank Rijkaard and Gheorghe Hagi, being axed, the Istanbul side returned to Fatih Terim, their most successful coach, who was the mastermind behind the UEFA Cup victory over Arsenal in 2000.

After being appointed, Terim started from scratch. He parted ways with no fewer than 10 players, including fans' favorite Harry Kewell, and landed many high-profile players.

Goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, who enjoyed lifting the Copa America title with Uruguay alongside Luis Suarez, Czech veteran Tomas Ujfalusi, Swedish forward Tomas Elmander and Turkish internationals Selcuk Inan and Ceyhun Gulselam were signed, and Brazilian Felipe Melo was loaned in.

Muslera will not take part in the game, but Melo may make his Istanbul debut.

The club is still in the market for at least two transfers, with Emmanuel Eboue of Arsenal and Diego Forlan from Atletico Madrid amongst their targets according to the Turkish media.

Thursday's game will be the first time this season that Galatasaray have played a home game in its Turk Telekom Arena, which is dubbed as the most modern stadium in the country.

After its opening in January, the fans have had little to cheer there, so the team will try to do its best to make the return to their home worthwhile.

Given Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Trabzonspor - the other three members of Turkey's perennial 'big four' - have been involved in serious allegations in match-fixing investigations, Galatasaray have been the only top team in the country that solely focused on football during summertime.

Liverpool's visit to Istanbul will be a breath of fresh air to Turkey's football fans hassled by chaotic times, while it will be a great test for a Galatasaray side hoping to make up for a miserable season.

Watch tonight's game live on LFC TV Online>>

Tune into a special Istanbul-edition of 'Most Wanted' on LFC TV at 2pm today as we countdown the 20 most-watched clips about that unforgettable night in Turkey from 2005. Tweet your Istanbul memories to @LFC and we'll show the best of them on LFC TV throughout the programme. And don't miss live coverage of Galatasaray v Liverpool online and on LFC TV from 6pm tonight.