Arne Slot marks his 100th game in charge of Liverpool tonight as the Reds face Galatasaray in the Champions League last 16 first leg and he could break a Sir Kenny Dalglish record in the process.
Of course, the Turkish capital was also the stage for Liverpool’s amazing Champions League comeback win against AC Milan in 2005, so it does hold a fond place in every fan’s heart who has a connection to the Anfield giants.
But Liverpool’s hoodoo away at Galatasaray still remains, with Liverpool never tasting the sweetness of a victory on their travels to RAMS Park in their entire history.
The lineup selected by Arne Slot for this tasty Champions League showdown will be aiming to write their names in the history books; therefore, with a rare victory in what will potentially be a feisty first leg, inside The Lions’ notoriously hostile home ground.
Here is the confirmed team news ahead of tonight.
Huge night for Mamardashvili
It’s a huge evening in store for the reserve Reds goalkeeper, as he’s given a golden chance to impress in the Turkish capital.
He was recently interviewed about his lack of first-team minutes, and he said he hoped his patience would be rewarded.
It has, in a way, as the Georgian stopper gains a rare start due to Alisson pulling up with a last-minute injury, to now be excluded from the group that travelled to Istanbul.
He has shone in the Champions League this season, with a clean sheet even coming his way against Real Madrid.
Yet, his last outing in Europe’s illustrious competition fell when Liverpool were ripped to shreds 4-1 by PSV Eindhoven, as he aims to have a better night than that leaky display, up against Okan Buruk’s intimidating hosts.
Salah breaks yet more records
Mohamed Salah breaking records isn’t anything out of the ordinary at this stage of his highly impressive Liverpool career.
Yet, it’s always a fantastic reminder as to how much of a living legend the Egyptian is when he pulls on Liverpool red, as a new daring record is broken tonight.
Salah is now officially Liverpool’s all-time appearance maker in the illustrious competition, eclipsing Anfield great Jamie Carragher in the process, by making a jaw-dropping 81 starts in the Champions League for Arne Slot’s men.
Amazingly, he could also put the continent of Africa on the map even more if he bags a goal tonight, as a strike against Galatasaray would further mean he’s the all-time top scorer in the competition, for a star hailing from Africa.
It would be his 50th Champions League effort to beat an opposition goalkeeper, in the process, as the stage is set for Salah to dazzle the home side’s defence.
Kerkez is back in
Mamardashvili’s inclusion in the starting XI isn’t the only alteration to the Reds’ backline, as Milos Kerkez has returned to the main lineup after sitting out the FA Cup victory at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Andy Robertson might well feel aggrieved that he has to make do with a spot on the substitutes bench, as the Hungarian comes in at the left-back spot, considering he picked up a stunning goal and assist against the Old Gold.
Still, Kerkez has also impressed on the left flank this season, too, with two assists coming his way in convincing wins over Newcastle United and Brighton and Hove Albion.
He, further, hasn’t put much of a foot wrong during earlier Champions League clashes this campaign, when tested, with nine tackles and a duel won against Marseille – on Liverpool’s last outing in the demanding competition – sealing a big 3-0 win in the group phase.
Slot will want to keep his ranks fresh, as Kerkez is joined by a new face on the left channel, as well.
Wirtz is in from the start
Indeed, Florian Wirtz has been given the nod to start on the left wing, as the German playmaker makes his first start in four games, as one of Liverpool’s five changes.
His last start for the Merseyside giants fell all the way back on Valentine’s Day, with his excellent form for the Reds, unfortunately, derailed by injury.
Hitting two shots at Sam Johnstone’s goal during a 21-minute Wolves cameo, too, Wirtz will be champing at the bit to impress for the visitors this evening, as he has a big chance to stake a claim for a starting spot on the left, in place of a consistently indifferent Cody Gakpo.
He has only collected two goal contributions this season from this position on the pitch, as he is more comfortable in the number ten role.
Regardless, he will be overjoyed to be back in his manager’s first team plans, as Wirtz, alongside the likes of Dominik Szoboszlai, Salah and Hugo Ekitike, in a star-studded Liverpool attack, attempt to catch the menacing hosts cold with their sheer firepower.
Confirmed Liverpool XI
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Ekitike.
Subs: Woodman, Misciur, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Frimpong, Nyoni, Nallo, Morrison,
