Liverpool will be hoping to start their Champions League knockouts journey with a win over Galatasaray, and here’s the lineup we think Arne Slot will go with.
It’s that glorious time of the year again when European competition takes centre stage.
The first stop Liverpool’s road to Budapest is a return to the Galatasaray cauldron where the Reds were beaten earlier this season.
What does a successful result actually look like for Liverpool on Tuesday night? 👀
Play to win, or play not to lose?
Arne Slot in the Champions League
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Arne Slot sees Galatasaray as a unique challenge, and he will be cautious in his approach to avoid giving Liverpool a deficit to turn around next week. Here’s who Rousing The Kop think will get the nod on Tuesday night.
Alisson out, Giorgi Mamardashvili starts with Liverpool’s strongest back four
Alisson had issues in Liverpool training that rule him out of the trip to Istanbul. Giorgi Mamardashvili comes into the side, and it’s a full-strength defence in front of him.
Jeremie Frimpong starts alongside Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, with Milos Kerkez coming back into the lineup on the left.
Galatasaray have some tricky attackers, none more dangerous than Victor Osimhen. Concentration levels will need to be high from the start.
Victor Osimhen shoots during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Galatasaray at RAMS Park
Photo by Abdulhamid Hosbas/Anadolu via Getty Images
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No Florian Wirtz in the Liverpool midfield
Florian Wirtz is back in contention for Slot, but this doesn’t feel like a good game to reintroduce him.
Rather, we think it will be last season’s regulars manning the engine room. Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch forming the base of the midfield, with Dominik Szoboszlai in the 10.
He has been phenomenal in the Champions League this season.
Arne Slot’s preferred front three
No surprises in attack.
Rio Ngumoha’s performance against Wolves was top tier, but it seems highly unlikely that he’s thrust into the cauldron that is the Rams Park.
Cody Gakpo comes back in, with Mo Salah on the opposite flank and Hugo Ekitike through the middle.
DISCUSS: This is not the game for Rio Ngumoha, nor for the returning Florian Wirtz 👇
Predicted XI Liverpool vs Galatasaray
Predicted XI Liverpool vs Galatasaray
Liverpool can’t afford to not turn up against the Super Lig leaders, who have more than enough quality to punish Slot’s side.
We saw in the play-offs how good they were against Juventus at home. Liverpool need to be solid, composed, and not let the intense atmosphere throw them off their game.
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