Liverpool face a tough test on the road at Galatasaray in matchweek two of the UEFA Champions League on September 30.
Arne Slot's perfect start to the season came to an end over the weekend as the defending Premier League champions lost 2-1 at Crystal Palace to end their 100% start to the campaign.
The Reds remain out in front at the top of the rankings but their lead has been cut to two points after rivals Arsenal sealed a dramatic late victory at Newcastle United.
Liverpool will now switch focus to Europe after opening up their UCL campaign with a pulsating 3-2 home win over Atletico Madrid courtesy of Virgil van Dijk's added-time clincher.
Okan Buruk's Galatasaray are top of the Turkish Super Lig but lost 5-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt in their own league-phase curtain-raiser. According to our match prediction, Liverpool should be too strong in Istanbul on Tuesday night.
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Galatasaray vs. Liverpool lineups: Starting XI, team news, injury latest
Buruk rested some of his key stars for last week's league win at Alanyaspor and former Manchester City captain llkay Gundogan and Victor Osimhen come back in.
One player who doesn't is Leroy Sane, who must accept his spot on the bench to begin the match.
The hosts have a string of former Premier League names in their ranks including Davinson Sanchez, Lucas Torreira, and Mario Lemina.
Galatasaray starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Cakir (GK) — Singo, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs — Torreira, Gundogan, Lemina — Akgun, Osimhen, Yilmaz.
Injured: Frankowski (groin).
Suspended: None.
Slot's main call focused on whether to retain Alexander Isak in the starting team or recall Hugo Ekitike following a domestic suspension, and it is Ekitike who begins the match up front.
The Dutchman has been clear in his plan to keep Isak working on his match fitness until after the October international break, and after playing 84 minutes at Palace, he indeed drops to the bench.
Mohamed Salah has been dropped from the starting lineup, with the 33-year-old rested following his relatively poor start to the season. Jeremie Frimpong is ready to start after his return from injury, and Slot confirmed before the match that he will start at right wing, meaning Dominik Szoboszlai will move back to the defensive line where he's been strong.
Federico Chiesa was added to the UCL squad following Giovanni Leoni's season-ending injury, but the Italian remains on the bench despite his late goal at Palace.
Liverpool starting XI (4-2-3-1, right to left): Alisson (GK) — Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez — Gravenberch, Jones — Frimpong, Wirtz, Gakpo — Ekitike.
Injured: Leoni (ACL).
Suspended: None.
Galatasaray vs. Liverpool match details
- Date: Tuesday, September 30, 2025
- Kickoff time: 10 p.m. local / 8 p.m. BST
- Location: RAMS Park, Istanbul (Turkey)
- Competition: UEFA Champions League league phase matchday two
- Referee: Clement Turpin (FRA)
- VAR: Jerome Brisard (FRA)