UEFA ruled against Galatasaray fans attending the second leg at Anfield, but some away fans slipped through the cracks.
With a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League at stake, any edge is invaluable.
Arne Slot was optimistic about Liverpool’s chances of progressing ahead of this clash, though recent performances didn’t do much to encourage fans.
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When it emerged that UEFA decided to ban away fans from coming to Merseyside, it was a welcome boost, but reports from inside the stadium on Wednesday night revealed that the ruling was not taken on board by everyone — those in charge of crowd control at Anfield were forced to react.
Galatasaray fans spotted at Anfield despite UEFA ban
It would not be a fully-Red crowd at Anfield as expected, with a group of Turkish fans spotted in the stands.
BBC Sport reporter Ian Dennis reported: “There are Galatasaray supporters here in Anfield. They are in a central position in the top tier in the Sir Kenny Dalglish stand.
“There are a good hundred surrounded by stewards.”
The decision to ban travelling fans stemmed from reports of serious disturbances during Galatasaray’s play-off clash with Juventus.
That was good news for those of a Liverpool persuasion, especially with how passionate and impactful those fans often are.
That there are 100-odd away fans who ignored the decision shouldn’t be enough to impact the atmosphere or outcome, but it does undercut the importance of these kinds of actions from the competition’s ruling body.
Liverpool fans get behind the team
Despite plenty of issues to scrutinise at Liverpool, the atmosphere in the ground ahead of this tie was exactly what Anfield is famous for.
Fans were loud in support for a team that has frustrated of late. Slot continues to receive criticism from fans, but when push comes to shove, this is a base of support that backs their team through thick and thin.
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That fate needs to be repaid with a rise in quality on the pitch as we enter the decisive weeks of the season.
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