Liverpool’s season is on a knife-edge.
With Arne Slot’s team struggling for consistency in the Premier League, the Champions League has assumed even greater importance than it normally does on Merseyside. So it is no exaggeration to say Wednesday’s last-16 second-leg tie against Galatasaray is the team’s biggest game of the season.
Trailing 1-0 from last week’s first leg in Istanbul, Slot needs his side to rediscover their pep at Anfield.
So who should he play? We asked our experts to name their starting XIs.
James Pearce: A revamped midfield
How to inject some life into a team which has lost its way? For a start, play your most complete footballer in his best position.
Dominik Szoboszlai has to be operating at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield rather than filling in at right-back. Given that Galatasaray are likely to sit deep at Anfield as they try to protect their narrow lead from the first leg, I’d go with Jeremie Frimpong rather than Joe Gomez on the right side of the backline. Liverpool should dominate possession and Frimpong offers more than Gomez in terms of creativity.
Ibrahima Konate was poor in Istanbul last week but prior to that his form had been much improved and he has to return at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk after being rested against Tottenham. Milos Kerkez also had a breather at the weekend and replaces Andy Robertson at left-back.
Alexis Mac Allister has really struggled of late and I’d be relegating him to bench duty. I’d go with a midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones and Szoboszlai.
Hugo Ekitike has gone off the boil with just one goal in his last eight appearances in all competitions, but the French striker has to be trusted to lead the line. Who plays either side of him is a tricky one.
Mohamed Salah’s output has dwindled and he was so wasteful when he came on against Spurs, but I’d still start him wide on the right. As for the other flank, I’d give Florian Wirtz the chance to redeem himself after two really below par displays and then use young Rio Ngumoha as an impact sub.
Simon Hughes: Seeking more cover
Liverpool are too stretched right across the pitch at the moment. It regularly seems like they can’t get enough players forward to join the attack. When they defend, there are spaces everywhere.
It is fair to say this is not a good combination. When Slot has used a diamond midfield in Europe this season it has worked, notably against Inter. This would offer more options and cover in central areas. Though it asks more of the full-backs in an attacking sense, it appeals to the best instincts of the players I’ve chosen here.
Gregg Evans: Go on the attack
Bring back the centre half who has been excellent for large parts of the season, but was dreadful in the first leg? Go on then.
Call on the winger who is having his worst season in a Liverpool shirt but can still produce a moment of magic? Add him in, too.
And if Konate and Salah can’t spark Liverpool into life then surely playing Szoboszlai in his correct position will help lift a downtrodden group.
Admittedly, right-back is still a concern as Liverpool have to manage both Gomez and Frimpong because of the injuries they have suffered this season, but time is running out.
Slot has to play his strongest side, and ideally the most attack-minded.
Caoimhe O’Neill: Wirtz needs freedom
This season has been quite the ride. I want to say take us back to last March but there’s no point living in the past. While staying in the present has been infinitely difficult at times with this team, things can change.
For that to happen, give Wirtz the freedom of Anfield in a floating role behind Ekitike and Salah. I hoped to find a place for Ngumoha but he will no doubt appear heroically in the second half.
Kerkez and Frimpong are your flying full-backs. If your defence is going to be that shaky then at least make it fast and fun. Konate is in the team to hopefully drop one of those vintage performances where he wins every header. I’d give Jones the opportunity next to Szoboszlai, with Gravenberch in behind them and Wirtz just in front. Surely, Liverpool can get the job done.
Andrew Jones: Pace from deep
The problem with trying to pick a Liverpool team is that whatever side is selected will be flawed.
The back four feels straightforward enough. Yes, even at right-back. Both Konate — I’m giving him a chance to right the wrongs from his first-leg performance — and Kerkez return to the line-up. Frimpong gets the nod ahead of Gomez because Liverpool need pace and attacking threat from deeper areas.
Mac Allister has to drop out because of his struggles. Wirtz was bought to be a big-game player for Liverpool so he has to start at the tip of the midfield, and athleticism takes priority behind with Gravenberch partnering Szoboszlai.
I considered the diamond, but Liverpool are behind and when they’re generally lacking a goal threat they need as many attackers on the pitch as possible.
The value of having wide players with speed and the capability to beat their man was on show against Tottenham Hotspur. The problem was it was a 17-year-old and a right-back who were being asked to be the creative forces, which was a lot to ask.
Ngumoha was Liverpool’s standout player against Tottenham. Starting him would be a gamble, and one Slot is very unlikely to take, but he’s shown an ability to put fear into the full-back he is facing. Having said that, who do I trust to make an impact in the final 20 minutes? Probably him, so I’d use him from the bench and give the regular front three of Cody Gakpo, Ekitike and Salah one last opportunity.
