Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty gave Galatasaray a 1-0 win over Liverpool on a disastrous night for Arne Slot’s side, who suffered back-to-back losses for the second time under the Dutchman.
It was an evening which saw more defensive errors at the back for Liverpool, multiple big chances wasted too – plus a double injury blow to goalkeeper Alisson and striker Hugo Ekitike – as Galatasaray won their first Champions League home game in seven years.
Arne Slot made a surprise selection with Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak both named on the bench – with Jeremie Frimpong starting at right-wing – but what did not change was Liverpool’s vulnerability at the back.
They were given a huge warning in the opening minutes when Baris Alper Yilmaz was played through on goal – with too much power and pace for right-back Dominik Szoboszlai. The forward forced a good save from Alisson Becker – before Liverpool missed a huge chance of their own.
Ekitike was played through on goal but rolled his foot on the ball instead of shooting, in an attempt to round goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir. The Galatasaray goalkeeper read it, before Ismail Jakobs cleared the rebound off the line from Cody Gakpo.
And 23 seconds later, Liverpool were made to pay. Yilmaz had the better of Szoboszlai again on the break and when the winger cut inside, Szoboszlai caught him with a flailing arm on the face. Referee Clement Turpin spotted it, allowing Osimhen to fire the spot-kick down the middle past Alisson.
Liverpool’s response was better. Florian Wirtz forced a good save from Cakir while Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate missed big close-range chances from separate corners.
A wasteful Liverpool missed a grand total of 1.19 xG in the first half and it continued after the break, with Ekitike’s close-range flick being kept out instinctively by Cakir.
Then came a big moment as Konate made another error with a poor square pass to Ryan Gravenberch, who had a tough night. Osimhen latched onto the ball and while Alisson kept it out, it came at a cost as the Liverpool goalkeeper immediately limped off injured.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker looks dejected after being substituted against Galatasaray with an injury
Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike came off injured later in the game
Liverpool brought on Salah and Isak, with the latter firing straight at Cakir almost straight away from a good area. The Reds’ momentum was stifled further as Ekitike stretched for the ball then pulled up, meaning he came off for Alexis Mac Allister.
Conor Bradley put a header wide of goal – before the Reds thought they had a way back in when Konate went down under Wilfried Singo’s challenge and referee Turpin pointed to the spot. But replays showed Singo clearly got the ball – and VAR correctly stepped in to overturn the spot-kick.
Galatasaray’s Wilfried Singo celebrates after a penalty kick for Liverpool is overturned following a VAR check
There would be no late drama this time for Slot’s side, who have now hit a real bump in the road.
Liverpool’s issues in full
- The best ability is availability – and Liverpool now could be stretched in terms of numbers. Alisson limping off and missing the Chelsea game is a big worry having been crucial in Liverpool’s slender victories not just at the start of this season, but also in their Premier League title campaign last season.
- Liverpool felt Hugo Ekitike‘s absence in the loss at Crystal Palace at the weekend and him limping off is another big blow, especially with Alexander Isak not 100 per cent fresh and with just one goal in five games.
- With both injuries, Chelsea away at the weekend looks harder – even given Enzo Maresca’s side’s own problems.
- Liverpool look vulnerable at the back. Ibrahima Konate put in another poor performance in Turkey, with his ‘hospital’ pass to Ryan Gravenberch nearly giving Galatasaray a second. He and the other Liverpool defenders could not deal with Victor Osimhen.
- Liverpool also have some issues at right-back. Dominik Szoboszlai was exposed by Galatasaray’s Baris Alper Yilmaz, who conceded the penalty. Jeremie Frimpong was criticised by Arne Slot for the late loss at Crystal Palace and was used as a winger in Turkey. Is it now time to give Conor Bradley a go? Then again, Slot has admitted he cannot play every game due to fitness reasons.
- What is going on with Mohamed Salah? He looks a long way from the player he was last season, even with last term’s high standards. His minutes have not needed to be managed before – he last started on the bench of a Champions League game three years ago. If his minutes need to be managed, it is not a great sign. If he was dropped for poor performances, it is even worse.
- Florian Wirtz still goes without a goal or an assist in the Premier League and the Champions League. Barring runs-off-the-ball statistics, his £100m fee is becoming hard to justify.
- Liverpool’s luck seems to have run out. It has been two games in a row now where the late drama has not fallen their way, even with VAR. Are they regressing to the mean?
- Liverpool’s midfield – such a huge plus for them last season – looks very different. Gravenberch is making costly errors and lost five out of his six duels. Wirtz lost nine out of his 13 duels. Alexis Mac Allister is still getting up to full fitness after a hampered pre-season.
- One positive? They are still top of the league. But how long for?
Liverpool’s Alexander Isak looks frustrated during the game at Galatasaray
Slot complains about penalty and added time again
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot to Amazon Prime:
“I’m disappointed again. Football is about winning. But for me this was a different performance on and off the ball from last Saturday.
“I saw a lot of good things. The way we played, the way we controlled the game. In the second half there wasn’t a lot of playing time. Their striker was on the floor, substitutes, injuries. The referee blew his whistle exactly after eight minutes.
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot was left disappointed after his side suffered a 0-1 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League.
“Dominik [Szoboszlai] did nothing wrong. We are a bit outsmarted in situations like this – they make a 20 per cent penalty a 100 per cent penalty.
“We’re not so far off last season. We’ve lost twice in a row but the schedule can bring this. Galatasaray away is not an easy game, and we play Chelsea so it’s not an easy run.
“The focus is always on the new signings, which is normal. Florian [Wirtz] was involved in dangerous situations that we created.
“As I said before the game, the starting XI was three, four positions different and I had to manage situations like [Hugo] Ekitike, Alisson. That’s why we have to rotate, but everyone’s not adjusted.”
Van Dijk: I hate losing but there shouldn’t be panic
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to Amazon Prime:
“Difficult to say at the moment. They got the penalty, a couple of opportunities basically though our mistakes in possession. Losing the ball in unnecessary moments, a bit sloppy. But we lost, that’s the frustrating part especially with the terrible performance at the weekend.
“We take the risk in possession, we try to find the spare man in the midfield, that comes with a risk as well. It happened many times in the first half when we broke through the last line, we have to do better there. There are moments where we make the wrong decision and the breaks become dangerous.
“I don’t want to curse, it’s bad. But we have to improve quickly. Losing these games doesn’t feel nice, but it’s about head down and keep working.
“You don’t get time from the outside world. You have to be strong mentally. Everyone is in their own world at times. I’m not worried that things will click anyway, but we have to keep going and stick together. That’s what we’ve been doing at Liverpool.
“I hate losing. There shouldn’t be panic, but there should be improvement needed. There should be willingness to improve from the weekend, but it’s not too difficult as the weekend was bad. But don’t make silly mistakes at times, it’s far too easy to say these things. But we have to keep going. Stick together and onto the next one.”