Liverpool team news confirmed vs Galatasaray as Arne Slot makes Rio Ngumoha decision
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The Reds host Galatasaray in the second leg of the Champions League last-16, with Slot reverting to a similar side that lost last week's first meeting in IstanbulLiverpool's starting XI vs Galatasaray has been confirmedArne Slot has made four changes to his Liverpool line-up for the Champions League last-16 second-leg clash against Galatasaray, from the XI that started Sunday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham.The Reds need to overturn a one-goal deficit at Anfield following last week's defeat in Istanbul, where Mario Lemina's seventh-minute header proved to be the difference between the sides.With no away fans in attendance on Wednesday, and Liverpool heavy favorites to progress to the quarter-finals, failure to beat Galatasaray would inevitably amplify the pressure on Arne Slot, especially after the Reds were booed after the full-time whistle at Anfield on Sunday.Under such scrutiny, the Dutchman has opted for a similar side in the second leg to the one that started in Turkey last week, while he has named a team containing four changes from the disappointing Spurs draw.Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo drop out in place of Ibrahima Konate, Milos Kerkez, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike.It's Alisson in nets for Liverpool, after the Brazil goalkeeper missed the first leg against Galatasaray due to injury.Salah's return to the side means Frimpong is expected to line up at right-back, with Virgil van Dijk and Konate in the middle. The latter has missed the Spurs defeat with a hamstring niggle, but Slot confirmed in Tuesday's press conference that he is fully fit once again.Kerkez is expected to operate at left-back, while Gomez, who Slot confirmed was a doubt ahead of the game, has been deemed fit enough for a place on the bench.The Liverpool head coach has stuck with his trusted duo of Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch at the base of midfield.
That means Curtis Jones misses out once again.In the attacking third, Salah's will almost certainly start on the right flank, which could push Dominik Szoboszlai into a no.10 role, and see Florian Wirtz operate from the left flank, as he did at Rams Park last week.Ekitike scored in Liverpool's last home Champions League game, but the Frenchman has managed just one goal in his last eight matches in all competitions.That selection means Ngumoha drops to the bench, despite impressing against Tottenham and offering the most consistent attacking threat throughout.Liverpool starting XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Gomez, Nallo, Robertson, Nyoni, Jones, Morrison, Chiesa, Gakpo, Ngumoha.