Liverpool is set to play against Galatasaray today in the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League, looking to build on their recent win against Atletico Madrid at Anfield. Notably, Mohamed Salah will start the game on the bench.
This decision is unexpected since Salah played the full match during the Premier League loss to Crystal Palace on Saturday.
There are no injury concerns, suggesting that the decision to bench Salah is tactical by Liverpool’s manager Arne Slot, who intends to adjust the team’s approach.
Salah benched alongside Isak and Mac Allister vs Galatasaray
As Salah sits out, Liverpool will field a different attacking trio featuring Florian Wirtz on the right wing, Cody Gakpo on the left wing, and Hugo Ekitike as striker. Salah is not the only notable name missing from the starting lineup against Galatasaray.
Mohamed Salah during practice.
Also on the bench are Alexis Mac Allister and Alexander Isak, both of whom joined Liverpool for a reported €145 million on the transfer deadline day. Here’s Liverpool’s starting lineup against Galatasaray for Matchday 2 of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League:
Alisson Becker; Jeremie Frimpong, Ibrahima Konate, Virgil Van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, Curtis Jones; Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Cody Gakpo.