Projected Liverpool XI vs Galatasaray: Mamardashvili to deputise for Alisson, Ekitike spearheads attack
Liverpool travel to RAMS Park on Tuesday night looking to put one foot in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, but they do so with a fresh problem in goal and a reshuffled attack. Head coach Arne Slot must cope without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Federico Chiesa for the first leg of the round of 16 tie against Galatasaray.
Alisson ruled out of the trip to Turkiye
Alisson has joined Liverpool’s growing list of absentees after feeling discomfort towards the end of the final training session before the squad flew out. The issue is described as minor, but the Brazilian has not been risked for the journey to Istanbul.
Slot confirmed that Alisson had participated in the session but felt something late on, prompting an immediate discussion with the medical staff. The conclusion was clear: playing in Turkiye would be a step too far, and there was no sense in travelling if he was unlikely to feature. The expectation at the club is that the injury will not sideline him for long, and there remains a realistic chance he will be available again for the weekend’s domestic fixture.
Chiesa misses out through illness
Liverpool are also without Federico Chiesa, who has been ruled out due to illness. The Italian winger was absent from the final training session and was never in contention to board the plane. Slot admitted that Chiesa had begun to feel unwell the previous night, which led to the medical team deciding to keep him at home rather than risk a deterioration in his condition on the road.
Lengthy injury list complicates Slot’s plans
Alisson and Chiesa add to an already busy treatment room. Conor Bradley (hamstring), Giovanni Leoni (knee), Wataru Endo (ankle), and Alexander Isak (leg) remain out of contention. That cluster of injuries has forced Slot to juggle his options throughout the season, especially across the back line and in central midfield.
Despite the setbacks, the Liverpool boss now finds himself with more variety in certain positions than earlier in the campaign, when he often relied on a tight core of 13-14 players. Recent league fixtures have allowed him to influence games from the bench, something he admitted had rarely been possible in the first half of the season.
Slot’s right-back puzzle
One of the most intriguing selection dilemmas surrounds the right-back berth. Slot openly acknowledged that he has already used “five or six” players in that role this season, a reflection both of tactical flexibility and enforced experimentation due to injuries.
Dominik Szoboszlai has been tried there, performing well whenever called upon, but the Hungarian has also been an important figure in his more natural advanced midfield role. As the squad has gradually regained depth, Slot finally has the luxury of genuine choices rather than patchwork solutions, and for this high-stakes European away match he is expected to lean towards a specialist full-back rather than another makeshift option.
Mamardashvili steps in between the posts
With Alisson unavailable, Giorgi Mamardashvili is in line to start in goal. The Georgian keeper, known for his shot-stopping reflexes and composure under pressure, will be tasked with coping not only with Galatasaray’s attacking threat but also with the intensity of RAMS Park’s atmosphere.
This will be a significant test of Mamardashvili’s temperament. Liverpool will need him to be sharp when dealing with aerial balls, set pieces, and quick counters, especially given Galatasaray’s tendency to exploit wide spaces and deliver crosses from advanced full-back positions. His distribution will also be crucial in helping Liverpool play out from the back under pressure.
Defensive setup: Frimpong and Kerkez as key outlets
In front of Mamardashvili, Liverpool are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 shape. Jeremie Frimpong should occupy the right-back slot, offering searing pace and direct running on the flank. On the opposite side, Milos Kerkez is set to start at left-back, providing balance with his energy and aggressive overlapping runs.
At the heart of the defence, Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk are likely to form the central partnership. Van Dijk’s experience and leadership will be vital in organising the back line in a hostile away environment, while Konate’s athleticism and recovery speed should help Liverpool deal with Galatasaray’s transitions and physical forwards.
Double pivot: Gravenberch and Mac Allister
Liverpool’s midfield base is expected to feature Ryan Gravenberch alongside Alexis Mac Allister. The duo will form a double pivot in front of the back four, combining Mac Allister’s intelligence and passing range with Gravenberch’s ball-carrying ability and drive through the centre.
Their job will be twofold: shield the defence from Galatasaray’s counter-attacks and provide a launchpad for Liverpool’s own transitions. Mac Allister will likely drop deeper at times to build play, while Gravenberch can surge forward to support attacks, especially when Szoboszlai drifts wide or Salah tucks inside.
Szoboszlai as creative hub in the No. 10 role
Dominik Szoboszlai is expected to operate in his preferred attacking midfield role, just behind the striker. From there he can influence the game between the lines, look for combinations with the front three, and unleash his powerful long-range shooting when space opens up at the edge of the area.
His positioning will be central to how Liverpool break down Galatasaray’s defensive block. By floating into half-spaces and occasionally pulling wide, Szoboszlai can drag markers out of position, creating gaps for late runs from Gravenberch or overlaps from Frimpong and Kerkez.
Ekitike leads the line, Salah and Gakpo out wide
In the forward line, Hugo Ekitike is set to start as the central striker. His movement across the front, willingness to run in behind, and ability to hold the ball up will be crucial in stretching Galatasaray’s defence. Ekitike will need to occupy both centre-backs, freeing space for Liverpool’s wide forwards to attack from outside to in.
On the right flank, Mohamed Salah is expected to start, bringing his usual goal threat and cutting inside onto his stronger left foot. Salah’s duel with Galatasaray’s left-back could define the rhythm of Liverpool’s attacks, especially if Frimpong overlaps regularly to create two-versus-one situations.
On the left, Cody Gakpo should feature as the wide forward, drifting into central pockets to combine with Szoboszlai and Ekitike. Gakpo’s versatility allows Liverpool to switch seamlessly between a 4-2-3-1 and a more fluid 4-3-3 in possession, as he can step inside to become an auxiliary playmaker or attack the box as a secondary striker.
Tactical expectations against Galatasaray
Away from home in a knockout tie, Liverpool will be wary of conceding early momentum. Slot’s side are likely to adopt a balanced approach: pressing selectively to avoid being exposed, while still looking to dominate possession for stretches of the game. The double pivot should give them stability, allowing full-backs to push high when the situation demands.
Set pieces may play a significant role. With Van Dijk, Konate, and Ekitike all offering aerial presence, Liverpool will look to exploit corners and wide free-kicks. At the same time, they must remain disciplined in their own penalty area, as Galatasaray are adept at delivering dangerous balls into the box in front of their home crowd.
Psychological and strategic importance of the first leg
For Liverpool, this first leg is about more than just the immediate result. An away goal advantage or even a controlled draw would set them up favorably for the return match, especially if key players like Alisson and Chiesa are back to full fitness by then. Slot will be conscious of managing minutes for players just back from knocks, while also ensuring his team shows enough ambition to hurt Galatasaray on the break.
The atmosphere at RAMS Park is notorious, and how Liverpool handle the opening 20-25 minutes will be a key indicator of their maturity under Slot on the European stage. Keeping composure, reducing unforced errors in build-up, and trusting Mamardashvili to handle early pressure will be vital components of the game plan.
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Predicted Liverpool XI vs Galatasaray (4-2-3-1):
Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Ekitike.