Evening Standard
·30 September 2025
Liverpool XI vs Galatasaray: Predicted lineup, confirmed team news, injury latest for Champions League today

In partnership with
Yahoo sportsEvening Standard
·30 September 2025
Reds face tricky test on first Champions League trip
Liverpool travel to Galatasaray for their first away day of the Champions League league phase.
The Reds won their opening game against Atletico Madrid 3-2 at the death thanks to Virgil van Djik’s last-minute header, after they had been pegged back by Marcos Llorente’s double.
On the injury front, the Premier League champions are at full strength, bar Giovanni Leoni, who was ruled out for the season with an ACL injury.
That said, Federico Chiesa - who scored Liverpool’s equaliser in their 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace at the weekend - has not travelled to Turkey due to a little niggle.
Besides Leoni and Chiesa, Arne Slot has a full complement to pick from, and despite the Super Lig side’s 5-1 hammering by Eintracht Frankfurt on matchday one, a trip to RAMS Park in Istanbul is never easy.
Hence, the Dutchman is likely to go strong, with Alisson Becker likely to continue in goal ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili, although Jeremie Frimpong could return at right-back if Slot wants more attacking thrust.
He could also plump for Dominik Szoboszlai there should he want to shoehorn Florian Wirtz, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch into the engine room.
Big decision: Dominik Szoboszlai
REUTERS
There is an argument to be made for the experienced Andy Robertson to come in for Milos Kerkez at left-back, but there isn’t as much flexibility at the heart of defence, with captain van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate likely to partner each other once more with Joe Gomez the only natural alternative in Leoni’s absence.
In midfield, Wirtz was shifted to the left flank to accommodate Szoboszlai at No10 ahead of Mac Allister and Gravenberch, but Cody Gakpo’s interval introduction at the weekend may suggest that Slot regretted dropping his compatriot.
Naturally, Mohamed Salah will start off the right, although there is a decision to be made over Isak and Ekitike to lead the line.
Injured: Leoni
Time and date: 8pm BST today, Tuesday, September 30, 2025
How to watch: Amazon Prime
Venue: RAMS Park, Istanbul