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Relived: The night Peter Crouch's stunning strike lit up Anfield before Galatasaray threatened a Liverpool-style comeback
Liverpool’s trip to Istanbul to play Galatasaray in Matchday Two of this season’s Champions League will inevitably stir fond memories of the club’s incredible success in the Turkish capital two decades ago.
The Reds famously came back from the dead to overturn AC Milan’s 3-0 half-time lead to level the 20004-05 Champions League final at Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul.
But their previous Champions League meetings with Galatasaray produced two high-scoring encounters, including an Anfield classic, when they last met and here DAZN News relieves both games.
Liverpool 3-2 Galatasaray, September 27, 2006
When Peter Crouch is almost bursting the net with a flying volley, you know it is a night to remember.
When that almost becomes incidental to a comeback that nearly matched Liverpool’s own heroics in Istanbul against AC Milan in 2005, it borders on make-believe.
Yet that was exactly what unfolded almost exactly 19 years ago to the day as Rafael Benitez’s side were given a huge scare by their Turkish visitors.
It was proof, once again, that Liverpool do not do things by halves at Anfield on European nights.
The Reds were two up after 14 minutes thanks to Crouch’s close-range volley and Luis Garcia’s precision header.
Crouch’s moment in the sun arrived seven minutes into the second half of a Champions League game which constantly left you pinching yourself.
It came when Steve Finnan curled over a teasing right-wing cross and the Reds centre-forward was horizontal as he scissor-kicked a wonderful shot into the corner at the Kop end.
At that point, you would not have staked a brass farthing on anything other than a Liverpool stroll and one foot in the knockout stages.
Yet, amazingly, the comeback kings of the Champions League so nearly fell foul to a lost-cause retrieval mission to even eclipse their heroics in lifting the trophy in 2005.
Galatasaray threatened to give Benitez’s side a taste of their own medicine as two headed goals from substitute Umit Karan meant the final whistle brought a collective sigh of relief from Liverpool fans.
“It shouldn't have been that close because we were comfortable, but if you step back against Galatasaray they'll come at you,” conceded Crouch afterwards.
His manager did not quite know where to pitch his emotions after a rollercoaster encounter.
“Peter’s second goal was amazing, showing all the quality he has but, from then on in, it became so difficult for us,” said Benitez.
“They just went for it after that and we had problems in wide areas, especially with the second ball, and needed more control in the middle.”
A few weeks later, Galatasaray would have the chance to avenge their defeat.
Galatasaray 3-2 Liverpool, December 5, 2006
Liverpool returned to the Ataturk Stadium for the first time since winning their fifth European Cup there 18 months earlier.
Crucially, however, of the 11 players who started the final against AC Milan in May 2005, only Jerzy Dudek, defenders Jamie Carragher and John Arne Riise and midfielder Xabi Alonso were selected for this match.
Liverpool had already finished top of their group and this match was effectively a dead rubber.
Benitez left Steven Gerrard, Jose Reina, Steve Finnan and Sami Hyypia at home - fielding a side of youngsters and experienced squad players.
Robbie Fowler gave Liverpool, who already topped Group C, the lead after 21 minutes when he bundled home Craig Bellamy's left-wing cross.
But Necati Ates slid home an equaliser two minutes later and Okan Buruk's 25-yard volley made it 2-1.
Sasa Ilic punished poor Liverpool defending to score 12 minutes from time before Fowler snatched a late second.
Benitez reflected: “We paid for bad mistakes. You cannot expect to win if you make mistakes like that.
“But I always felt it would be a difficult game for the players, they knew they were already group winners and the job had been done.”
Galatasaray coach Erik Gerets said post-match: “It was a difficult game for Liverpool.
“They had already done the job they set out to do, before even coming to Istanbul.
“They are a very good team. It is difficult to judge whether they can go all the way - but with their best players, they can win the tournament.”
As it turned out, Liverpool made it to the final, but lost 2-1 to AC Milan in Athens as the Italian aristocrats avenged their defeat in Istanbul two years earlier.
Full Champions League fixture list for Matchday 2
Tuesday 30 September
- Atalanta vs Club Brugge
- Kairat vs Real Madrid
- Atletico Madrid vs Eintracht Frankfurt
- Bodø / Glimt vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Chelsea vs Benfica
- Galatasaray vs Liverpool
- Inter Milan vs Slavia Prague
- Marseille vs Ajax kick
- Pafos vs Bayern Munich
Wednesday 1 October
- Qarabağ vs Copenhagen
- Union Saint-Gilloise vs Newcastle United
- Arsenal vs Olympiakos
- Barcelona vs PSG
- Bayer Leverkusen vs PSV
- Borussia Dortmund vs Athletic Club
- Monaco vs Manchester City
- Napoli vs Sporting CP
- Villarreal vs Juventus
How to watch the Champions League in the USA on DAZN
Soccer fans in the US can watch select games in the Champions League in Spanish language as part of their DAZN subscription package.
Between September 25 - October 3, 2025 new customers can get a 20% discount on annual subscription.
An annual upfront payment is now $179.99 reduced from $224.99, while paying monthly for 12 months is $15.99 (down from $19.99) and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
CBS has coverage of every Champions League match in English language this season. You can get more details and subscribe to CBS's Champions League coverage here.
Fans can watch extra Champions League games in Spanish on ViX. A selection of those matches are also available on UNIMÁS and TUDN.
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Every Champions League game during the 2025-26 season is streamed in high-definition and comes as part of a DAZN subscription.
Between September 25 - October 3, 2025 new customers can get a 20% discount on annual subscription.
An annual upfront payment is now $119.99 reduced from $149.99, while paying monthly for 12 months is $11.99 (down from $14.99) and also provides access to 185 fight nights a year across boxing, MMA, PFL, BKFC, Glory and much more.
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Watch every game of the Champions League this season in Canada with a DAZN subscription.
There are three subscription options, offering differing selections of sports in each. Access to every Champions League match is included in all three package offerings, ranging from $29.99 to $44.99 per month (for 12 months)
