Liverpool are guaranteed to make changes to their starting lineup against Galatasaray, with a goalkeeper swap confirmed and a return for Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool secured passage to one quarter-final last week and now have the chance to take a big step towards another when they face Galatasaray, again, in the last 16.
Arne Slot was dealt an untimely blow with Alisson succumbing to another fitness issue on the eve of the tie, but he at least has a more than capable deputy to call upon.
The Dutchman will have a number of considerations to make when he sits down to select his side, including Florian Wirtz‘s involvement and who starts at right-back.
With that in mind, let’s take a look at how Liverpool could line up on Tuesday.
Liverpool team news vs. Galatasaray: NO Alisson
Liverpool’s Predicted XI vs. Galatasaray
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, September 30, 2025: Liverpool's Florian Wirtz and Galatasaray's Baris Yilmaz during the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
After either sitting out completely or coming off the bench at Wolves, Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Milos Kerkez and Ekitike all look set for an immediate return.
Slot will consider Joe Gomez at right-back over Frimpong, but he has been rotating the pair since their respective injury returns, and the same is likely for this tie.
Giorgi Mamardashvili will not have been expecting the opportunity to start, but he will play his first game since the FA Cup win over Barnsley on January 12 – hopefully he’s not too rusty, and they all remember he’s left-footed!
Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister have been heavily relied upon, and that feels unlikely to change, especially with four days between games.
Finally, if there are doubts over Wirtz’s ability to start, we could expect to see Mo Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai, Cody Gakpo and Ekitike form the attacking contingent:
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike
In an ideal world, Wirtz is fit to start after playing 21 minutes on Friday, though this would likely require Slot to name Gakpo on the bench, which many will sense won’t happen.
Doing so, however, would ensure Szoboszlai remains in the middle of the pitch to help sustain a press and keep Galatasaray accountable.
The other possible tweak could see Gomez retained despite playing the full match at centre-back last time out, adding physical strength to the backline.
With Curtis Jones likely to remain on the periphery, this is how the changes would see Liverpool set up:
Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike
There are a number of considerations for Slot, and that could possibly include Rio Ngumoha after proving a spark in the FA Cup. Though he’s only ever come off the bench in the competition so far.
Liverpool lost 1-0 at Galatasaray earlier this season after a questionable penalty decision, and a reversal in fortunes would ensure a positive result is brought back to Anfield for the second leg.