Liverpool predicted team vs Galatasaray as Giorgi Mamardashvili one of 5 changes

Liverpool is in Turkey to face Galatasaray in the Champions League, and Arne Slot is likely to make several changes from the team that beat Wolves in the FA Cup

Giorgi Mamardashvili is in line to start for Liverpool against Galatasaray(Image: MI News/NurPhoto)

Liverpool resumes its Champions League campaign on Tuesday as it takes on Galatasaray in the Champions League last-16 first leg.

The Reds have already faced the Turkish giant once this season, losing 1-0 in the league phase back in September, but Arne Slot's men are the favorites to progress over two legs. Trips to Turkey are rarely routine for English clubs, so Tuesday's first leg could be tricky, but the Anfield factor in the second leg should help get Liverpool over the line.

Slot will be hoping to head back to Merseyside for the second leg with a lead, but which players does he think would be most capable of achieving that goal?

The Reds have taken a 21-man squad to Istanbul, but they are a couple of senior players down after Alisson and Federico Chiesa were left at home due to fitness reasons.

“Federico was also not in the session, he felt unwell last night, so that’s why he wasn’t training with us today and not travelling with us,” said Slot in his pre-game press conference.

“Ali, of course, was in the session – as many people could see – but unfortunately he felt something towards the end of the session.

Alisson hasn't traveled to Turkey(Image: Andrew Kearns - CameraSport, CameraSport via Getty Images)

“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.”

Long-term absentees Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo, Alexander Isak and Giovanni Leoni remain unavailable.

Alisson's absence will see Giorgi Mamardashvili make his first appearance in two months, as the Georgia international aims to kickstart his Liverpool career.

Mamardashvili had a run of games in October and November due to an Alisson injury, but has figured just once since then, in the third round of the FA Cup against Barnsley.

Jeremie Frimpong could be utilized at right-back in a back four that should also include Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson — Robertson deserves to keep his place in the team off the back of his fine showing against Wolves last week.

Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai are two of the first names on the Liverpool team sheet, and they should be joined in midfield by Florian Wirtz.

A front three of Cody Gakpo, Hugo Ekitike and Mohamed Salah is expected.

Predicted Liverpool starting line-up against Galatasaray: Mamardashvili; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo, Salah, Ekitike.