Besiktas face defensive crisis ahead of Liverpool game

Beşiktaş face defensive crisis ahead of Liverpool game [divider]

Beşiktaş lost 1-0 against Liverpool at Anfield in the Europa League Round of 32 first leg.

The Black Eagles will be without left-back Ramon Motta and centre-back Ersan Gülüm in the return game.

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Motta picked up a yellow card against Liverpool which resulted in an automatic one match suspension.

The Brazilian fullback conceded a penalty against Jordan Ibe that resulted in the decisive goal against Liverpool.

Motta will be replaced by Ismail Koybaşı if he recovers from injury in time. Otherwise holding midfielder Atiba Hutchinson could be forced to play in a make shift role.

Beşiktaş centre-back Ersan Gülüm also picked up a suspension after being shown a yellow card.

Twenty-one year old Atınç Nukan is expected to replace the experienced defender.

Nukan also played against Tottenham in the Europa League group stages.

Beşiktaş will take on Liverpool at the Atatürk Olympic stadium on Thursday 26 February.

The stadium will be familiar to Liveprool fans as it is where the Reds won the 2004-05 Champions League.