Liverpool XI vs Galatasaray: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup, injury latest for Champions League

Liverpool are preparing for one of those nights that define European football, a night that will be filled with tension, drama, and a test of character. The Reds will travel to Istanbul to face Galatasaray in their first away game of this season’s Champions League group stage, and while on paper it may look like Liverpool have the edge, anyone who has followed the history of this competition knows that a trip to Turkey is never straightforward. The atmosphere, the noise, the intensity of the Galatasaray fans at RAMS Park can turn even the strongest teams into nervous wrecks, and Arne Slot will be fully aware of that.

The Champions League has already started with fireworks for Liverpool. Their first game against Atletico Madrid ended in dramatic fashion with Virgil van Dijk powering home a last-minute header to give them a 3-2 victory at Anfield. It was the perfect example of how unpredictable this competition can be. Liverpool were cruising in the opening minutes after Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah put them 2-0 up inside just six minutes. Anfield was rocking, and many thought it would be a comfortable night for the Premier League champions. But football doesn’t work like that. Atletico Madrid, a team that never lies down easily, found their way back with Marcos Llorente striking twice to level things up. Suddenly, all the early joy disappeared, replaced by nerves and anxiety. It was in that moment of desperation that van Dijk stepped up like a true leader, delivering the winning goal that reminded everyone why he is one of the best defenders in the world.

But if Liverpool fans thought they could relax, the reality of football quickly hit them again during the weekend’s Premier League clash with Crystal Palace. The Reds fell to a 2-1 defeat, and it was a game that raised many questions about Slot’s decisions and the performances of his new signings. Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, two of the summer’s marquee arrivals, both struggled and were taken off without making a meaningful contribution. In fact, it was Wirtz’s replacement, Federico Chiesa, who came off the bench to score Liverpool’s only goal. That has opened up a debate among fans and pundits about whether Wirtz should be trusted to start in such a high-pressure game like the one in Istanbul.

There were also some tactical surprises from Slot in that Palace match. Dominik Szoboszlai, who had been used as the creative force in the No10 role, found himself moved to right-back in the second half after Conor Bradley was replaced by Cody Gakpo on the left wing. It was an unusual decision that left many scratching their heads, but it showed just how much flexibility Slot is willing to experiment with. Isak, meanwhile, played almost the entire match, but with Hugo Ekitike suspended for that game, Slot had little choice. Now with Ekitike available again, the big question is whether he will trust Isak to lead the line or bring back the young Frenchman to add more energy in attack.

The injury situation is relatively kind to Liverpool, but the one major blow remains Giovanni Leoni. The young defender had his season cruelly cut short after suffering an ACL injury, and that has left a hole in the squad. With Leoni out, the central defensive options are thin. Joe Gomez is the only real backup behind van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, and while Gomez has improved in recent months, it’s clear that Slot prefers his captain and Konate as the first-choice pairing. That means both players will likely have to start again in Istanbul.

One decision that will catch the eye is at left-back. Milos Kerkez has been given chances in recent weeks, but with a game of this magnitude, Slot might decide to turn back to experience and trust Andy Robertson. The Scotland captain has seen it all in Europe and knows exactly how to handle the pressure of nights like this. On the right side of defence, Jeremie Frimpong could return to add more attacking power, though Szoboszlai is also an option if Slot wants to pack the midfield with creativity.

Speaking of the midfield, this is where Liverpool have a luxury problem. Wirtz, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, and Szoboszlai are all top-quality players, but fitting them into one lineup is a puzzle. Against Palace, Wirtz was pushed out wide to make space for Szoboszlai in the No10 role, but the result wasn’t convincing. With Gakpo making an impact from the bench, Slot may feel he needs to find a way to keep his fellow Dutchman in the team. That could mean Szoboszlai moving back into midfield alongside Mac Allister and Gravenberch, while Gakpo starts on the left wing. Salah, of course, remains untouchable on the right.

Up front is where the selection battle really heats up. Isak has the quality and experience, but his start to life at Liverpool hasn’t been explosive. Ekitike, on the other hand, brings a fearless energy that could be vital in a hostile away game. Slot has to make a big call—does he stick with his expensive summer signing and trust him to deliver, or does he gamble on the raw but dangerous Ekitike?

The opponents, Galatasaray, cannot be underestimated despite their shaky start. They were hammered 5-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt in their opening group game, but anyone who thinks that makes them easy to beat is mistaken. Playing at home in Istanbul is a different story entirely. The Turkish giants thrive on the atmosphere of their fans, and they will be desperate to bounce back from that humiliation. Liverpool know all too well the history of facing Turkish sides—memories of Istanbul are etched in the club’s DNA, both the glory of 2005 and the struggles in later years.

Arne Slot has shown he’s not afraid to make bold tactical decisions, but this game could define his reputation early in his Liverpool career. A strong performance and victory would put Liverpool in a commanding position in the group, but a slip-up could throw everything wide open. The manager himself knows this. He has inherited a squad full of stars, but now he must prove he can guide them through the chaos of nights like this.

The predicted lineup looks like this: Alisson in goal, with Frimpong, Konate, van Dijk, and Robertson making up the back four. In midfield, Mac Allister and Gravenberch provide the base, while Szoboszlai, Gakpo, and Salah line up behind the striker. Up front, the expectation is that Isak will get the nod ahead of Ekitike, though that decision may not be confirmed until the last moment.

The game is set for Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at 8pm BST, with coverage available on Amazon Prime. For Liverpool fans, it promises to be another rollercoaster night. For Galatasaray fans, it’s a chance to witness their team take on one of Europe’s giants under the lights.

What’s certain is that it will not be a quiet evening. Liverpool know they are walking into a cauldron, but these are exactly the nights that build legends. Slot and his players will have to show their courage, their quality, and their hunger if they are to come out of Istanbul with all three points.

This match isn’t just about tactics or lineups—it’s about heart, about mentality, and about proving that Liverpool can still dominate in Europe no matter the challenge. For players like Wirtz, Isak, and Gakpo, it’s a chance to step into the spotlight and write their names into Liverpool’s history. For veterans like Salah, van Dijk, and Robertson, it’s another opportunity to remind the footballing world why they are still among the very best.

By the time the final whistle blows in Istanbul, we will know much more about this Liverpool side. Are they truly ready to conquer Europe again, or are there still cracks that can be exposed? One thing is sure—it will be dramatic, it will be intense, and it will be unforgettable. This is Liverpool, this is the Champions League, and this is Istanbul. The stage is set.