As Liverpool prepare to face Galatasaray in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16 at Anfield on Wednesday night (18 March 2026, 8pm GMT), manager Arne Slot has unleashed a shock tactical masterstroke that the Turkish side could never have anticipated. Although the official starting XI has not yet been confirmed, detailed analysis from reliable sources indicates that Liverpool will line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with one jaw-dropping adjustment: Dominik Szoboszlai – the central midfielder – has been pushed forward to play right-back. This is the true “bombshell lineup move” that has left pundits stunned, because it doesn’t just solve a personnel crisis – it completely supercharges The Reds’ attacking system.
First, the context. Liverpool trail 1-0 from the first leg (Mario Lemina’s goal) and have just been held to a frustrating 1-1 draw at home by Tottenham. To turn the tie around, they need at least two goals – a mission that demands relentless, creative attacking football. That’s why Slot is expected to go “gung-ho”, and Szoboszlai’s surprise deployment at right-back is the absolute key.
Predicted Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1):
- GK: Alisson
- RB: Szoboszlai | CB: Ibrahima Konate | CB: Virgil van Dijk (captain) | LB: Milos Kerkez
- CM: Alexis Mac Allister | CM: Ryan Gravenberch
- AM: Mohamed Salah | AM: Florian Wirtz (No.10) | AM: Cody Gakpo
- ST: Hugo Ekitike
The decision to play Szoboszlai at right-back is far from random. The Hungarian international recently trialled the role during the Tottenham match, giving Slot the tactical flexibility he craves. With Conor Bradley out long-term and Jeremie Frimpong not the preferred option, Slot’s move fills the hole while simultaneously freeing up space for Florian Wirtz to operate as a true No.10 – the creative role the German has been waiting for. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike are both set to start after only coming off the bench against Tottenham, forming an incredibly dangerous front line.
On the fitness front, there are major positives. Alisson returns after missing the first leg with a minor training injury, while Ibrahima Konate has fully recovered from his hamstring issue. Virgil van Dijk remains the defensive rock and leader. However, Liverpool are still missing several key players: Alexander Isak is not yet ready (though he has begun individual training), Joe Gomez awaits a final fitness check, and long-term absentees Conor Bradley, Wataru Endo and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined.
Tactically, this is pure Slot genius – “attack is the best form of defence”. By deploying Szoboszlai – a midfielder with elite ball-carrying and pressing ability – at right-back, Liverpool keep defensive solidity while massively boosting attacking support from the flank. Mac Allister and Gravenberch can focus entirely on controlling the midfield, allowing Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo and Ekitike to unleash hell on Galatasaray’s back line. Anfield’s roaring atmosphere will make life a nightmare for the visitors, especially after their narrow first-leg win.
In summary, this isn’t just a team-sheet tweak – it’s a calculated strategic bomb from Arne Slot. Liverpool are showing their clear intent to overturn the tie, and if this lineup is confirmed, Galatasaray will face an attacking storm they simply never saw coming. Wednesday night at Anfield promises to be unforgettable – the night The Reds could write another thrilling chapter in their Champions League story. Liverpool fans are buzzing, and the football world is holding its breath to see whether this “bombshell” delivers exactly what Slot planned.