Charlie Grace

Tue 30 September 2025 20:52, UK

Liverpool head to Istanbul in an attempt to avoid losing back-to-back games following their 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

Liverpool’s 2-1 loss against Crystal Palace was a small bump in what has otherwise been a perfect start for Arne Slot’s side.

Liverpool now face Galatasaray in the Champions League as a host of ex-Premier League and European stars aim to further disrupt the Reds’ start to the season.

Hugo Ekitike returned to Liverpool’s lineup after some bold comments in the build-up to the match, with Alexander Isak falling to the bench.

Pat Nevin questions Arne Slot’s Dominik Szoboszlai decision

Also returning to the lineup following Saturday’s Crystal Palace defeat was Jeremie Frimpong, who has been deployed as a right winger by Slot.

BBC Sport’s Pat Nevin questioned the choice to play Frimpong as a right winger and Dominik Szoboszlai at right back against the Turkish giants.

Nevin said: “That decision to play Szoboszlai at right back and not Frimpong – he has been attacked twice, done for pace and has given away a penalty.”

Szoboszlai was targeted with balls in behind to Baris Yilmaz, coming the Hungarian’s way a lot early in the match.

Wayne Rooney’s comments may offer Arne Slot a fix to his problem

Former Manchester United star Wayne Rooney was concerned about Florian Wirtz disrupting the balance of Slot’s Liverpool side.

With Slot dropping Mohamed Salah against Galatasaray, Cody Gakpo could have shifted across to the right wing with Wirtz playing on the left, where his best football came at Bayer Leverkusen.

That would allow Slot to then shift Szoboszlai in the number 10 area, with Frimpong returning to his more familiar right-back position.

Slot will be hoping that his side can rediscover the resolute defensive form that served them so well in 2024-25 when Liverpool won the Premier League.