Liverpool will take on Galatasaray on the 10th of March at Rams Park.
Liverpool travel to Istanbul for the Champions League Round of 16 first leg looking to avenge their 1-0 defeat at the same venue back in September. The Reds lost to a Victor Osimhen penalty in the league phase but have since gone on a strong run in Europe, winning their last three Champions League matches without conceding.
Following their 3-1 FA Cup win over Wolves on Friday, Liverpool sit sixth in the Premier League table with 48 points from 29 games. They are three points behind third and fourth-placed Manchester United and Aston Villa. Slot’s side finished third in the Champions League league phase with 18 points from six wins and two losses, scoring 20 goals and conceding just eight.
Their opponents, Galatasaray, finished 20th in the league phase with 10 points and had to beat Juventus 7-5 on aggregate in the playoffs to reach this stage. They won 5-2 at home before losing 3-2 in Turin. The Turkish giants are flying domestically, sitting top of the Super Lig with a four-point advantage over Fenerbahce. They beat Besiktas 1-0 in the Istanbul Derby on Sunday and are on a three-match winning streak.
That said, here is how Liverpool could lineup against Galatasaray.
Predicted Liverpool lineup vs. Galatasaray
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
The Brazilian captain continues between the sticks. Alisson kept four clean sheets in Liverpool’s last five Champions League matches and will need another solid showing at Rams Park.
Defence: Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez
Frimpong starts at right-back after returning from injury, with Kerkez on the left. Van Dijk and Konate continue their centre-back partnership, with the pair having started all matches in the Champions League so far. Joe Gomez remains an option off the bench. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are both sidelined with long-term injuries.
Midfield: Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister
Szoboszlai has been Liverpool’s standout performer in the Champions League this season with four goals and four assists in eight games, scoring in each of his team’s last three away matches. The Hungarian operates in the attacking midfield role. Gravenberch and Mac Allister form the double pivot, providing defensive stability and ball progression. Curtis Jones offers an alternative option. Wataru Endo remains out with an ankle injury sustained in early December.
Attack: Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, Florian Wirtz
Salah will become Liverpool’s most capped player in Champions League history if he features in this match. The Egyptian has 49 goals in the competition and could become the first African to reach a half-century if he scores. Ekitike leads the line with 15 goals and four assists across all competitions. Wirtz occupies the left wing after recovering from his recent injury. Alexander Isak and Stefan Bajcetic remain sidelined through injury.
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