Liverpool has 6 players missing vs. Galatasaray as Arne Slot handed fresh double blow

Liverpool travels to Istanbul with a group of just 21 players, with several youth-team players also part of the squad. Arne Slot also provided an update on two absentees in his press conference

Alisson is injured for Liverpool's Champions League trip to Galatasaray

Liverpool is set to be without six players for Tuesday's Champions League last-16 clash against Galatasaray.

The Reds have seen the number of absentees reduce in recent weeks following the returns of Jeremie Frimpong and Florian Wirtz, while Alexis Mac Allister trained as normal on Monday after he hobbled off in the latter stages of the FA Cup win over Wolves.

But there were two fresh blows confirmed before the flight to Turkey, with Alisson and Federico Chiesa not part of the traveling party. The 21-man group did contain several youth-team players, including Amara Nallo, Kieran Morrison, and Kornel Misciur.

Asked about Chiesa and Alisson in Monday’s press conference before the first leg, Arne Slot replied: "Federico was not in the session. He felt unwell last night and that's why he hasn’t trained or traveled with us.

"Ali was in the session, as many people could see. But unfortunately, he felt something towards the end of the session,” he continued.

"People looked at it, and we decided, and he decided together that it wasn’t good enough to play tomorrow. And then it’s of no use travelling."

Alisson trained ahead of the trip to Turkiye but 'felt something' toward the end of the session(Image: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)

Pushed on whether the goalkeeper will be back in time to face Tottenham on Sunday, Slot added: "There is definitely a chance, yeah. We don’t expect it to be a big thing but it was too much to be available for tomorrow."

Alisson’s injury means back-up stopper Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to play for the Reds in Istanbul. Chiesa was never likely to start, but it does reduce Slot’s attacking options off the bench.

Liverpool is also without its four long-term absentees for the Galatasaray match, with Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Wataru Endo all not expected to play again this season due to injury.

Alexander Isak has not played since December(Image: Getty Images)

Alexander Isak is working on his recovery from a broken leg and may even be available again later this month.

The club’s record signing has not played since December, and his return would ease the burden on Hugo Ekitike.

The French striker was given a rare night off on Friday at Molineux, along with Milos Kerkez, but both are likely to start at RAMS Park.

Wirtz might be an option from the off after his cameo against Wolves, while Frimpong and Ibrahima Konate, who also came off the bench, are expected to return to the line-up.

Liverpool faces Galatasaray for the second time in this season’s Champions League, having lost 1-0 in the league phase in September, while the second leg of the last-16 tie is next Wednesday.