Chiesa expected to be absent but Mac Allister has travelled with the squad
Liverpool will be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker for their Champions League last-16 first-leg match against Galatasaray after the Brazilian picked up a problem in training.
The 33-year-old did not travel with the squad to Istanbul after experiencing discomfort during Monday morning’s session at Liverpool’s AXA Training Centre.
Club staff opted against risking the goalkeeper ahead of the European fixture in Turkey. Alisson has already missed up to nine games this season because of various injury issues.
In the Brazilian’s absence, Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to start in goal. The Georgian international has made 10 appearances since joining Liverpool last summer, mostly filling in for Alisson when the Brazilian suffered a hamstring issue earlier in the season.
But Mamardashvili has not played since the FA Cup victory over Barnsley two months ago, although he’ll be hoping to make an impact in a familiar competition. The Georgian has appeared in four of Liverpool’s eight Champions League matches so far this season.
He has recorded two clean sheets in his 10 starts, both arriving in consecutive matches against Real Madrid and Aston Villa in November.
Liverpool will also be without Federico Chiesa, who did not take part in training after being an unused substitute in Friday’s FA Cup win over Wolves.
There is better news for Reds supporters regarding midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. The Argentine was forced off with a knee issue during that cup match but recovered sufficiently to train and travelled with the squad for the trip to Istanbul.
