Liverpool take on Galatasaray at Anfield this evening having lost the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie 1-0
Rio Ngumoha and Curtis Jones are both pressing their claims to start
Rio Ngumoha and Curtis Jones are both pressing their claims to start
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Liverpool know all about European comebacks, but this evening's clash at home to a Galatasaray side who won the first leg of this Champions League last-16 tie in Istanbul feels rather different.
The deficit is only 1-0, hardly a daunting one against a side from outside of Europe's traditional big leagues, but confidence is in short supply in L4 at the moment following more dropped Premier League points at the weekend.
Arne Slot has been trying to ramp up supporters after loud boos were heard following that draw with Tottenham Hotspur, but what side will he select to try and take the Reds through to the quarter-finals of European football's premier competition?
Our writers have picked the XIs that they'd choose on what promises to be a pivotal night.
Ian Doyle
The Champions League. Although it doesn't exactly feel many Liverpool supporters are particularly enthused at the prospect of taking part in a European night at Anfield against Galatasarary.
The players are, though. What, then, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?
The back four needs to have players in their correct positions. So that's Ibrahima Konate returning at centre-back alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez at left-back and Jeremie Frimpong at right-back. Alisson Becker is the goalkeeper.
In midfield, more solidness. Dominik Szoboszlai is moved to the number 10 and both Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are at the base, even if the latter needs to get his finger out a bit.
Up top, Hugo Ekitike leads the line with Mohamed Salah on the right and Florian Wirtz down the left.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.
Paul Gorst
There will be no more selecting Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back here. Certainly not when Jeremie Frimpong is available for selection. The Dutchman starts once more but drops from the right-wing position in to the more defensive role.
In midfield, Curtis Jones comes in for Alexis Mac Allister and I’m picking Szoboszlai ahead of Ryan Gravenberch in a two-man with Florian Wirtz ahead of them.
Wide left, I’m giving Rio Ngumoha the opportunity for another hour or so. He could make all the difference as the Reds aim to score a first goal of the season against Galatasaray at the third attempt. Cody Gakpo can wait in reserve and Hugo Ekitike starts
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Ekitike.
Mark Jones
It is a night that feels like it could go either way for the Liverpool manager, and so Arne Slot needs to do something to get excitement and belief flowing through supporters who were so flat after the draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. That might just mean sticking with Rio Ngumoha.
Keeping the 17-year-old in the side alongside the returning Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike could create the type of attacking impetus Anfield can thrive off on nights like these, especially if Florian Wirtz can shake off the ring-rusty couple of performances we've seen from him since he returned from injury and start as the No.10.
Continuing to work backwards, Ryan Gravenberch can join Dominik Szoboszlai in the centre of midfield with a tired Alexis Mac Allister making way.
Then at the back, three of the back four from the Spurs game are changed, with Jeremie Frimpong dropping back to right-back, Milos Kerkez coming in on the left and Ibrahima Konate teaming up with Virgil van Dijk again in the centre, all ahead of Alisson in goal.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Ekitike.
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