Florian Wirtz gives Arne Slot Liverpool problem ahead of major Rio Ngumoha decision
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A look at how Liverpool might line up when the Reds take on Galatasaray on Tuesday night in the Champions LeagueIt's another few days on the road for Liverpool as their third away game in seven days takes them back to Istanbul, where Galatasaray await in the Champions League on Tuesday.The Reds were beaten 1-0 by the Turkish Super Lig outfit in late September, thanks to Victor Osimhen's first-half penalty, and that defeat was at the start of a sequence that saw Arne Slot's men lose nine of 12 through to the end of November.Things are slightly more stable in the Spring but Liverpool need a result at Rams Park to take back to Anfield for the second leg, where no fans from the Turkey will be permitted into the ground after their conduct at Juventus in the previous round.So having made four changes for the FA Cup win over Wolves on Friday night, how many more will Slot be looking to make against Gala in one of the most intimidating atmospheres for the opposition in world football?FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! Does Andy Robertson keep his place after his superlative display against Wolves?The Scotland captain provided a goal and an assist within 95 seconds of each other to break open the tie against Rob Edwards's side and he looked like a breath of fresh air down that side, rolling back the years with a commanding display.Having said that, Milos Kerkez hasn't put a foot wrong in recent weeks and his adaptation period has accelerated at Liverpool, so Slot has two high quality players vying for the same position on the night.
That call is an important one.At right-back, Dominik Szoboszlai once more filled in on Friday night, despite Jeremie Frimpong and Joe Gomez being fit. The latter started at centre-back alongside Van Dijk on the night but could be shuffled over to that side on the night in Turkey to provide some extra defensive coverage.Frimpong will offer more attacking thrust and blistering pace down that side if selected, so Slot has two very different profiles to choose from at right-back for Tuesday night.Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch are jostling for the midfield positions but the return of Florian Wirtz complicates things further for Slot, who has more options available than in recent weeks.Does the Germany international start his first game since Brighton in the FA Cup in Turkey?
Liverpool have generally looked bereft of creativity in Wirtz's absence and his selection would help hugely to redress that imbalance.Naming him in his favoured attacking midfield role, however, means it is four players battling for two positions behind him and Slot has to get the blend right with Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Jones and Szoboszlai to choose from. The latter is likely to take one of those spots.Hugo Ekitike will return to lead the line having had the luxury of a night off in the Black Country on Friday night.