Özyakup – ‘Arsenal & Tottenham struggled in Istanbul, hopefully Liverpool will as well’[divider]

Liverpool beat Beşiktaş 1-0 at Anfield in the Europa League Round of 32 first-leg but Black Eagles midfielder Oğuzhan Özyakup believes the Reds will struggle in Istanbul.

Beşiktaş have yet to lose against English opposition in Turkey this season.

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The Eagles held Arsenal to goalless draw in the Champions League play-offs and beat Tottenham in the Europa League group stages.

“We were brave and played without fear, we lost because of a penalty and only have ourselves to blame but we still have another game,” Özyakup told the official Beşiktaş website.

“We still have a lot of hope, Arsenal & Tottenham struggled in Istanbul, hopefully Liverpool will as well.”

Özyakup featured in the first-leg and will be included in the match day squad on Thursday for the return game against Liverpool.

The Turkish international is expected to start on the bench but could get the nod ahead of Jose Sosa.

Özyakup joined Beşiktaş from Arsenal in 2012 for a fee of €500,000.

The 22-year-old has eight assists and two goal for the Black Eagles this season.