Federico Chiesa was absent as a 22-man Liverpool squad trained on Monday morning ahead of their flight to Istanbul, where they will face Galatasaray in the last 16 of the Champions League.
Ahead of catching their flight to Turkiye, Liverpool prepared at their Kirkby training base for their first leg against Galatasaray.
It is a trip the Reds have already made this season in the league phase of the Champions League, losing 1-0 to a controversial Victor Osimhen penalty at the end of September.
This time, the stakes are higher but Liverpool are in a much better position, given the previous defeat came during a run of nine losses in 12.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, March 9, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between xxxx and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
The key absentee from Monday morning’s open training session was Federico Chiesa, with a reason not yet known. We should hear why from Arne Slot when he hosts his press conference at 6.15pm (GMT) in Istanbul this evening.
Liverpool Training Squad vs. Galatasaray
Goalkeepers: Alisson, Mamardashvili, Woodman
Defenders: Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Kerkez, Robertson, Frimpong, Miles, Pitt
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones, Laffey, Onanuga
Forwards: Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo, Ngumoha
Trey Nyoni and Calvin Ramsay, who would usually be present, sat out of training after starting for the under-21s on Sunday afternoon in their 5-0 win over Wolves.
The same can be said for Kieran Morrison, who recently made just his second senior appearance against Wolves in the FA Cup.
Afolami Onanuga, Michael Laffey and Lucas Pitt were only used from the bench on Sunday for the under-21s, so they were deemed able to train on Monday alongside 21-year-old right-back Terence Miles.
These players are not registered on either UEFA List A or B, though, and won’t be travelling with the team to Turkiye.
More to follow.