Arne Slot has explained why Alisson and Federico Chiesa have both missed out on Liverpool’s Champions League fixture against Galatasaray.
Alisson was involved in training on Monday but felt an issue that left him out of the 21-man travelling squad, while Chiesa was absent from the session entirely.
Both were named against Wolves in the FA Cup on Friday, with the Brazilian playing the full 90 minutes and the Italian left unused, but are now unavailable for Tuesday’s match.
Speaking to the media in Istanbul on the eve of the game, Slot explained why the pair were excluded, and was optimistic about Alisson‘s chances of returning against Tottenham on Sunday.
“Ali, of course, was in the session, as many people could see. But, unfortunately, he felt something towards the end of the session,” Slot said.
“People looked at it and we, and he, decided that it wasn’t good enough to play tomorrow and it’s of no use travelling.
“There’s definitely a chance [he can return vs. Tottenham] because we don’t expect it to be a big thing, but it was too much to be available for tomorrow.”
On Chiesa, he revealed: “He felt unwell last night, so that’s why he wasn’t training with us today and not travelling with us.”
Alisson has now missed 10 games for the club this season, while this will be the fifth Champions League match Chiesa has missed since the league phase began.
Liverpool’s travelling squad vs. Galatasaray
Goalkeepers: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Misciur
Defenders: Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Nallo, Robertson, Kerkez, Frimpong
Midfielders: Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Jones, Gravenberch, Nyoni
Forwards: Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike, Ngumoha, Morrison
How could Liverpool line up vs. Galatasaray?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Monday, March 9, 2026: Liverpool's Cody Gakpo, Ibrahima Konaté, Jeremie Frimpong and Hugo Ekitike during a training session at the AXA Training Centre ahead of the UEFA Champions League match between Galatasaray and Liverpool FC. (Photo by Jessica Hornby/Propaganda)
Slot made four changes against Wolves, and a similar number will be expected again, with Ibrahima Konate, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Hugo Ekitike all in line to return.
Giorgi Mamardashvili will deputise in Alisson‘s place to mark his first appearance since the FA Cup win over Barnsley on January 12, with Freddie Woodman and Kornel Misciur in support.
Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai will be anticipated to make up the midfield, leaving Curtis Jones to start from the bench once again.
Liverpool can name up to 12 substitutes, but their 21-man squad allows for 10 at most, which includes two goalkeepers.
Liverpool Lineup
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