Liverpool line-ups for Galatasaray as Rio Ngumoha and Curtis Jones both given starts

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Liverpool take on Galatasaray at Anfield this evening having lost the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie 1-0 Chief Liverpool FC Writer, Paul Gorst Liverpool FC correspondent and Mark Jones Liverpool Content Editor - Sport11:00, 18 Mar 2026Liverpool know all about European comebacks, but this evening's clash at home to a Galatasaray side who won the first leg of this Champions League last-16 tie in Istanbul feels rather different.The deficit is only 1-0, hardly a daunting one against a side from outside of Europe's traditional big leagues, but confidence is in short supply in L4 at the moment following more dropped Premier League points at the weekend.Arne Slot has been trying to ramp up supporters after loud boos were heard following that draw with Tottenham Hotspur, but what side will he select to try and take the Reds through to the quarter-finals of European football's premier competition?Our writers have picked the XIs that they'd choose on what promises to be a pivotal night.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! What, then, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?The back four needs to have players in their correct positions.

So that's Ibrahima Konate returning at centre-back alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez at left-back and Jeremie Frimpong at right-back. Dominik Szoboszlai is moved to the number 10 and both Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are at the base, even if the latter needs to get his finger out a bit.Up top, Hugo Ekitike leads the line with Mohamed Salah on the right and Florian Wirtz down the left.My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.Paul GorstThere will be no more selecting Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back here.

Cody Gakpo can wait in reserve and Hugo Ekitike startsMy team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Ekitike.Mark JonesIt is a night that feels like it could go either way for the Liverpool manager, and so Arne Slot needs to do something to get excitement and belief flowing through supporters who were so flat after the draw with Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday. That might just mean sticking with Rio Ngumoha.Keeping the 17-year-old in the side alongside the returning Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike could create the type of attacking impetus Anfield can thrive off on nights like these, especially if Florian Wirtz can shake off the ring-rusty couple of performances we've seen from him since he returned from injury and start as the No.10.Continuing to work backwards, Ryan Gravenberch can join Dominik Szoboszlai in the centre of midfield with a tired Alexis Mac Allister making way.Then at the back, three of the back four from the Spurs game are changed, with Jeremie Frimpong dropping back to right-back, Milos Kerkez coming in on the left and Ibrahima Konate teaming up with Virgil van Dijk again in the centre, all ahead of Alisson in goal.My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Ngumoha; Ekitike.Liverpool FC Bringback collectionThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it.