Liverpool welcomed by armed security

One of Liverpool's smallest European followings, totalling just 200 officially sanctioned supporters, will be outnumbered 10 to one by armed military police tomorrow in an attempt to ensure that their Champions' League tussle with Galatasaray passes off without violence.

Less than two years after two Leeds United fans were stabbed to death in Istanbul the evening before their club's Uefa Cup game against Galatasaray, the acting Liverpool manager, Phil Thompson, led his squad into Turkey's footballing capital last night to a quiet welcome devoid of the once-ritual "Welcome to Hell'' banners and chants.

The security operation is the biggest Liverpool have experienced since they first entered Europe 38 years ago. The authorities here are determined to avoid clashes that could further tarnish the image of the Turkish game.

An armed guard will be maintained at the Liverpool team's hotel and at their training session today. Some 2,000 armed police will be on duty at the match and will have water cannon available to break up potential skirmishes. Meanwhile, the Merseyside police have urged the travelling supporters to behave responsibly and to keep to city-centre bars and restaurants.

Liverpool, who stand bottom of Group B with the second phase of the competition at its halfway point, have seen Thompson's selection options further reduced since Galatasaray drew 0-0 at Anfield last Wednesday. Jerzy Dudek, who missed the first meeting because of a groin strain, has been joined in the Melwood treatment room by Steven Gerrard, who incurred a similar injury in last week's match.

Nicolas Anelka, scorer of Liverpool's equaliser in Saturday's draw with Everton, did not travel since he is ineligible for the competition. Emile Heskey is poised to start the match after appearing as a substitute in the derby, while Jamie Carragher is expected to resume at left-back in place of Stephen Wright despite being suspended from domestic football.

Chris Kirkland, who last featured on a winning side in Coventry's opening-day First Division success at Stockport, will make his fourth appearance in Liverpool's goal in the absence of Dudek.

Defeat to Galatasaray, who have not lost in 19 European home fixtures since their 5-0 chasing by Chelsea in 1999, would leave Liverpool needing to win in Barcelona and to beat Roma at home to have any chance of reaching the quarter-finals. However, they are themselves undefeated in 13 away matches in Continental competition since going down to Celta Vigo in Spain three and a half years ago.