Liverpool lineups v Galatasaray as Isak left out and Frimpong decision | Football | Sport

Liverpool are eager to bounce back from Saturday’s defeat to Crystal Palace, but a Champions League trip to Istanbul to face Galatasaray may not have been their first choice for the next fixture. The Reds are in Turkey aiming for a second consecutive European victory this season, following their last-minute triumph over Atletico Madrid on opening night. Head coach Arne Slot has numerous selection dilemmas to ponder before the match.

Will Hugo Ekitike come straight back in for Alexander Isak? Can Conor Bradley retain his place at right-back with both Jeremie Frimpong and Dominik Szoboszlai vying for that position? Liverpool Echo reporters have picked their lineups for the match below…

Ian Doyle

The Champions League is the world’s premier club competition. However, at this point in the season, it isn’t even Liverpool‘s second most important match of the week.

So, what should Reds boss Arne Slot do against Galatasaray in Istanbul tonight?

Changes will be made, and rightly so. The goalkeeper, however, remains Alisson Becker.

It was tempting to bring Joe Gomez into the centre-back position, but his previous struggles against Victor Osimhen make that a risk not worth taking, so Ibrahima Konate will continue alongside captain Virgil van Dijk. Conor Bradley should retain his right-back spot, with Andy Robertson returning at left-back.

In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister is still not fully fit, so he can be replaced by Dominik Szoboszlai, who will join Ryan Gravenberch at the base of the midfield. Florian Wirtz is the number 10.

Up front, Hugo Ekitike is back as the main striker with Cody Gakpo returning on the left and Mohamed Salah holding his position on the right.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

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Paul Gorst

Tonight’s full-back selection by Arne Slot will be intriguing. I suspect he might retain one and replace one from Saturday’s defeat at Crystal Palace, with Conor Bradley keeping his spot and Milos Kerkez making way for Andy Robertson.

In midfield, I think Slot might keep Dominik Szoboszlai in the squad and move Alexis Mac Allister to the substitutes’ bench to make room for Florian Wirtz in a more advanced role. Cody Gakpo returns on the left-hand side once again up top.

Hugo Ekitike can start instead of Alexander Isak, with the Sweden international still working on his fitness. It wasn’t the plan to play nearly the full 90 minutes at Crystal Palace.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Theo Squires

Liverpool will be keen to recover quickly against Galatasaray after their last-minute loss to Crystal Palace, and they could certainly benefit from a stronger defensive performance at the very least.

The Reds have been struggling defensively this season, so I’m opting for a familiar line-up. Conor Bradley retains his position at right-back, despite being substituted at half-time against the Eagles, with Andy Robertson making a comeback at left-back.

Meanwhile, Joe Gomez is set to partner Virgil van Dijk in the centre-back role, replacing the underperforming Ibrahima Konate.

Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are still acclimatising after their summer transfers, so let’s see how a back four with more experience playing together performs instead.

In midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai takes up the number eight spot alongside Ryan Gravenberch. Alexis Mac Allister, still not fully fit after his lengthy summer break, is relegated to the bench.

Florian Wirtz is given free rein at number 10, with Cody Gakpo returning on the left – though I would have been tempted to start Federico Chiesa had he been included in the travelling squad. And Hugo Ekitike is back in attack after serving his one-game suspension, with Alexander Isak returning to the bench after playing 84 minutes against Palace as Liverpool continue to handle the Swede with care.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Bradley, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Mark Jones

As you step out of Lime Street, two towering images of Ibrahima Konate greet you, accompanied by the words ‘be the problem’. This is a fitting tribute to the Liverpool defender who had quite an eventful day at Crystal Palace.

Some situations are just ripe for humour.

Despite these challenges, I suspect Arne Slot will keep faith with the Frenchman in Istanbul. He’s a fan of a comeback story and currently, Konate is the one wearing the shirt, especially as Joe Gomez didn’t entirely impress against Southampton last week.

While I’d keep the centre-backs unchanged, I’d switch things up at full-back. Andy Robertson would come in to start, replicating his role in the Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid, and I’d bring Dominik Szoboszlai back to right-back, anticipating that the Reds will dominate possession.

In the midfield, I’d give Alexis Mac Allister a break, bringing Curtis Jones into the starting line-up alongside Ryan Gravenberch. Mac Allister could then be brought on from the bench to replace Florian Wirtz, with Jeremie Frimpong providing attacking support for Mo Salah.

Salah is a definite starter, while Cody Gakpo and Hugo Ekitike should rejoin the first XI, leaving Alexander Isak to make an impact in the final 30 minutes.

My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.