Liverpool team vs Galatasaray confirmed as Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong decisions made

Arne Slot has confirmed his Liverpool starting XI vs Galatasaray in the Champions League, with decisions made on Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah and Jeremie Frimpong

Liverpool attacking midfielder Florian Wirtz.(Image: MB Media/Getty Images)

Florian Wirtz returns to the Liverpool starting XI to take on Galatasaray after being injured for three games and making a comeback off the bench at Wolves in the FA Cup.

With Alisson Becker injured, Giorgi Mamardashvili plays his first minutes since January 12 when he started against Barnsley in the FA Cup — this being his second appearance in any competition since November.

Joe Gomez moves across to right-back, with Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez completing that department. Ryan Gravenberch, who signed a new six-year contract this week, is joined by Alexis Mac Allister in midfield.

Mohamed Salah is on the right, with Wirtz and Dominik Szoboszlai supporting Hugo Ekitike. Cody Gakpo is among the options to call upon from the bench.

Arne Slot is taking charge of his 100th game as Liverpool boss, and could become the manager with the most wins in that period with a victory against Galatasaray.

"[Galatasaray] have a very good team and we have a very good team," he said in his pre-match press conference.

Arne Slot after the Champions League game between Galatasaray and Liverpool at Rams Park on September 30, 2025.(Image: YAGIZ GURTUG/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images)

"So are you happy to play against them? No, there's not one team that you prefer to play in the last 16 because they are all very good teams — including Galatasaray.

"We've already lost against them, so that tells you how difficult of a game it is for us. The good thing now is that we play two games.

"Where in the group stage, you only play away against Galatasaray. Now we also have a chance to play in front of our own fans, which will be impressive for Galatasaray.

"These fans over here are very impressive; we've noticed that when we've played here. The good thing is we've experienced it already once now. That's maybe a positive thing.

"The Galatasaray players are experiencing this every home game. But for us it was new when you have the ball that the whistling, if that's the right word, is so loud.

"That was new for me and even for all of my experienced players. So, the good thing is that we've already experienced it.

"But we not only play against the fans: we also play against 11 very good players that are a very strong team, managed by a very good manager."

Liverpool starting XI: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike. Subs: Woodman, Misciur, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Frimpong, Nyoni, Nallo, Morrison, Ngumoha.