YNWA takes a look back at our previous meetings with Trabzonspor and our other trips to Turkey as we prepare for the return leg of our Europa League qualifier on Thursday.

Up against Trabzonspor
Last week, we won 1-0 at Anfield thanks to a Ryan Babel strike on the stroke of half time. Christian Poulsen had a goal cruelly disallowed on his reds bow, while Joe Cole saw his second-half penalty saved.

We lost 1-0 at Trabzonspor in the Second Round of the European Cup thanks to a dubious penalty award, although neither side managed a shot on target and the reds only won one corner. Boss Bob Paisley described it as "the worst trip I have known in thirteen years". Current Manager of Trabzonspor Şenol Güneş was in their goal at that time, while Ian Callaghan set a new club record of 79 European appearances.

Fortunately, we won the Anfield return 3-0 to progress en route to claiming the trophy for the first time. Steve Heighway, David Johnson and Kevin Keegan all struck at Anfield inside the first eighteen minutes. We also had three later efforts ruled out for offside, while the Turks had Milemic Cemil sent off late on for a horrendous challenge on Phil Neal. Our next opponents in the competition were Saint-Étienne the following March.

Other visits to Turkey
Emile Heskey scored as we held Galatasaray to a 1-1 draw in our Champions League second group stage game in the intimidating Ali Sami Yen Stadium in February 2002. Chris Kirkland had an inspired game, in just his fourth reds appearance. Young Spanish centre-half Miki Roque made his debut as a late substitute for Xabi Alonso in our 3-2 defeat at Galatasaray in December 2006. This was the final game of our Champions League group, in which we had already secured top spot. Robbie Fowler bagged both our goals, his only goals in the Champions League proper.

We lost 2-1 at Beşiktaş JK in October 2007, leaving us with just a single point from our opening three Champions League group games, and teetering on the brink of early elimination. Steven Gerrard headed a late consolation after the home side had taken the lead through a Sami Hyypiä own goal, his second in five days, and a Bobô strike. However, we won our three remaining games to make it through the group, reaching the Semi-finals that season.