Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, speaks to his players during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Galatasaray and at AXA Training Centre on March 09, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)placeholder image
Arne Slot, Manager of Liverpool, speaks to his players during a training session ahead of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg match between Galatasaray and at AXA Training Centre on March 09, 2026 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Things spotted from Liverpool training ahead of the Champions League clash against Galatasaray.
Liverpool have been put through their paces ahead of their Champions League last 16 first-leg tie against Galatasaray.
The Reds head to Istanbul on Tuesday night aiming to get one foot in the door of the quarter-finals. But Arne Slot's side know how difficult of a game they will face in a febrile Istanbul atmosphere, with Liverpool suffering a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in the league phase.
Slot’s men, who earned a 3-1 FA Cup win over Wolves last Friday, were put through their paces this morning at the AXA Training Centre before jetting to Turkey.
Alexis Mac Allister was substituted in the closing stages against Wolves after receiving treatment. Slot was not overly concerned by the midfielder’s knock after the game and Mac Allister was part of the open session. The Argentina international is likely to keep his starting berth should he be fully fit.
Florian Wirtz continues to work his way back to full fitness after a back injury. The attacking midfielder came off the bench at Wolves and it remains to be seen whether he can feature from the outset against Galatasaray.
In terms of players missing from the session, there was a surprise absence, with Federico Chiesa not spotted. Chiesa was an unused substitute at Wolves.
Alexander Isak (broken leg), Wataru Endo (ankle), Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley (both knee) are long-term absences.
Trey Nyoni has been a regular in Slot’s set-up this season and impressed when coming off the bench against Wolves. The midfielder, 18, did not rub shoulders with Wirtz, Virgil van Dijk and Co, though. That is because Nyoni played for Liverpool under-21s in a 5-0 thrashing of Wolves yesterday. Nyoni recorded an assist in the resounding triumph when setting up Will Wright.
The England youth international was substituted at half-time, which implies that he will be travelling to Galatasaray. Nyoni is likely to have a recovery session in Kirkby ahead of heading off with Slot’s troops.
Kieran Morrison was given a fleeting cameo at Wolves before continuing his prolific form the under-21s with a goal and an assist. The versatile 19-year-old attacker could also be included on the bench in Turkey, especially if Chiesa is not available. Morrison was substituted in the 62nd minute.
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