Liverpool will be without their first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker for the first leg of their Champions League last-16 clash against Galatasaray on Tuesday, following an issue sustained in training. Alisson, a pivotal figure for Arne Slot's team, is ruled out for the fixture as he has not travelled with the rest of his team-mate.
The seasoned shot-stopper has featured in 32 matches across all competitions this campaign and was between the sticks for their 3-1 triumph over Wolves in the FA Cup on Friday evening. However, deputy keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili will step into his shoes on Tuesday in Istanbul. Liverpool have announced their 21-man squad for the journey, with Alisson absent. The full squad is: Mamardashvili, Misciur, Woodman, Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Jones, Gakpo, Ekitike, Robertson, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Nyoni, Nallo, Morrison, Ngumoha.
It's believed that Alisson participated in Monday's training but experienced discomfort towards the end of the session and will consequently not be risked. Third choice Freddie Woodman will occupy the bench as Mamardashvili's back-up.
Mamardashvili has started nine matches for Liverpool since his £25million transfer from Valencia in the summer, seven of which occurred when Alisson was sidelined due to injury. He is accustomed to filling in for the Brazilian and just this week discussed his mentality as a No.2.
"It is never easy because there is just one goal," Mamardashvili confessed to The Reds Roundtable. "If I don't play, I don't mind. I have to work hard every day and that's it. My time will come for sure. Maybe not this year but my time will come.
"My ex-goalkeeper coach, Jose Manuel Ochotorena, when I was in Valencia, told me I have to find balance between ambition and patience, you know. So keep working hard and you never know when your chance is coming."
Federico Chiesa is also absent from the travelling squad after being unable to participate in Monday's training session. The Italian forward made a late appearance as a substitute in the midweek loss to Wolves and was subsequently benched in the FA Cup rematch between the two teams.
Liverpool are set to re-enter Champions League action having skipped the play-off stage due to their top-eight finish in the league phase. Galatasaray advanced 7-5 on aggregate against Italian titans Juventus and defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the league phase back in September.