Liverpool will be without Alisson Becker and Federico Chiesa for Tuesday night’s Champions League last-16 first leg against Galatasaray in Istanbul. The Brazilian goalkeeper sustained an injury in training, while the Italian forward missed Monday’s open session due to illness.
Manager Arne Slot confirmed the absences, stating: “Ali was in the session but unfortunately felt something towards the end. People looked at it, we decided together it was not good enough to play tomorrow and was no use of travelling.” Of Chiesa, he added: “He felt unwell last night so did not train with us today and did not travel with us.”
Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to start in goal for Liverpool, who travel to Turkey on the back of a 3-1 FA Cup win over Wolves. The Reds will also be without long-term absentees Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni.
Galatasaray have injury concerns of their own, with goalkeeper Enes Emre Buyuk (shoulder) and defender Arda Unyay ruled out. Unyay was also omitted from the club’s UEFA squad for the second half of the season.
Liverpool will be keen to overturn a 1-0 defeat to the Turkish side in their previous league encounter when the two sides meet at the Rams Park stadium.
