Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty gave Galatasaray a 1-0 win over Liverpool on a disastrous night time for Arne Slot’s facet, who suffered back-to-back losses for the second time underneath the Dutchman.
It was a night which noticed extra defensive errors on the again for Liverpool, a number of huge probabilities wasted too – plus a double damage blow to goalkeeper Alisson and striker Hugo Ekitike – as Galatasaray gained their first Champions League residence recreation in seven years.
Arne Slot made a shock choice with Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak each named on the bench – with Jeremie Frimpong beginning at right-wing – however what didn’t change was Liverpool’s vulnerability on the again.
They got an enormous warning within the opening minutes when Baris Alper Yilmaz was performed by on objective – with an excessive amount of energy and tempo for right-back Dominik Szoboszlai. The ahead compelled an excellent save from Alisson Becker – earlier than Liverpool missed an enormous probability of their very own.
Ekitike was performed by on objective however rolled his foot on the ball as a substitute of taking pictures, in an try and spherical goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir. The Galatasaray goalkeeper learn it, earlier than Ismail Jakobs cleared the rebound off the road from Cody Gakpo.
And 23 seconds later, Liverpool have been made to pay. Yilmaz had the higher of Szoboszlai once more on the break and when the winger reduce inside, Szoboszlai caught him with a flailing arm on the face. Referee Clement Turpin noticed it, permitting Osimhen to fireplace the spot-kick down the center previous Alisson.
Liverpool’s response was higher. Florian Wirtz compelled an excellent save from Cakir whereas Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate missed huge close-range probabilities from separate corners.
A wasteful Liverpool missed a grand whole of 1.19 xG within the first half and it continued after the break, with Ekitike’s close-range flick being saved out instinctively by Cakir.
Then got here a giant second as Konate made one other error with a poor sq. go to Ryan Gravenberch, who had a tricky night time. Osimhen latched onto the ball and whereas Alisson saved it out, it got here at a price because the Liverpool goalkeeper instantly limped off injured.
Liverpool’s Hugo Ekitike got here off injured later within the recreation
Liverpool introduced on Salah and Isak, with the latter firing straight at Cakir virtually right away from an excellent space. The Reds’ momentum was stifled additional as Ekitike stretched for the ball then pulled up, which means he got here off for Alexis Mac Allister.
Conor Bradley put a header vast of objective – earlier than the Reds thought that they had a manner again in when Konate went down underneath Wilfried Singo’s problem and referee Turpin pointed to the spot. However replays confirmed Singo clearly received the ball – and VAR accurately stepped in to overturn the spot-kick.
Galatasaray’s Wilfried Singo celebrates after a penalty kick for Liverpool is overturned following a VAR examine
There could be no late drama this time for Slot’s facet, who’ve now hit an actual bump within the highway.
Liverpool’s points in full
- The perfect potential is availability – and Liverpool now might be stretched by way of numbers. Alisson limping off and lacking the Chelsea recreation is a giant fear having been essential in Liverpool’s slender victories not simply firstly of this season, but additionally of their Premier League title marketing campaign final season.
- Liverpool felt Hugo Ekitike‘s absence within the loss at Crystal Palace on the weekend and him limping off is one other huge blow, particularly with Alexander Isak not 100 per cent recent and with only one objective in 5 video games.
- With each accidents, Chelsea away on the weekend appears more durable – even given Enzo Maresca’s facet’s personal issues.
- Liverpool look susceptible on the again. Ibrahima Konate put in one other poor efficiency in Turkey, along with his ‘hospital’ go to Ryan Gravenberch almost giving Galatasaray a second. He and the opposite Liverpool defenders couldn’t cope with Victor Osimhen.
- Liverpool even have some points at right-back. Dominik Szoboszlai was uncovered 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 provide Conor Bradley a go? Then once more, Slot has admitted he can’t play each recreation resulting from health causes.
- What’s going on with Mohamed Salah? He appears a great distance from the participant he was final season, even with final time period’s excessive requirements. His minutes haven’t wanted to be managed earlier than – he final began on the bench of a Champions League recreation three years in the past. If his minutes have to be managed, it’s not an important signal. If he was dropped for poor performances, it’s even worse.
- Florian Wirtz nonetheless goes with out a objective or an help within the Premier League and the Champions League. Barring runs-off-the-ball statistics, his £100m price is turning into arduous to justify.
- Liverpool’s luck appears to have run out. It has been two video games in a row now the place the late drama has not fallen their manner, even with VAR. Are they regressing to the imply?
- Liverpool’s midfield – such an enormous plus for them final season – appears very totally different. Gravenberch is making pricey errors and misplaced 5 out of his six duels. Wirtz misplaced 9 out of his 13 duels. Alexis Mac Allister remains to be getting as much as full health after a hampered pre-season.
- One optimistic? They’re nonetheless prime of the league. However how lengthy for?
Liverpool’s Alexander Isak appears pissed off through the recreation at Galatasaray
Slot complains about penalty and added time once more
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 noticed a whole lot of good issues. The way in which we performed, the best way we managed the sport. Within the second half there wasn’t a whole lot of taking part in time. Their striker was on the ground, substitutes, accidents. The referee blew his whistle precisely after eight minutes.
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Liverpool boss Arne Slot was left disillusioned after his facet suffered a 0-1 defeat to Galatasaray within 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 to date off final season. We have misplaced twice in a row however the schedule can convey this. Galatasaray away will not be a simple recreation, and we play Chelsea so it is not a simple run.
“The focus is always on the new signings, which is normal. Florian [Wirtz] was involved in dangerous situations that we created.
“As I stated earlier than the sport, the beginning XI was three, 4 positions totally different and I needed to handle conditions like [Hugo] Ekitike, Alisson. That is why we’ve got to rotate, however everybody’s not adjusted.”
Van Dijk: I hate losing but there shouldn’t be panic
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk to Amazon Prime:
“Tough to say in the mean time. They received the penalty, a few alternatives principally although our errors in possession. Dropping the ball in pointless moments, a bit sloppy. However we misplaced, that is the irritating half particularly with the horrible efficiency on 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 do not need to curse, it is dangerous. However we’ve got to enhance shortly. Dropping these video games would not really feel good, nevertheless it’s about head down and maintain 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 dropping. There should not be panic, however there must be enchancment wanted. There must be willingness to enhance from the weekend, nevertheless it’s not too tough because the weekend was dangerous. However do not make foolish errors at instances, it’s miles too straightforward to say these items. However we’ve got to maintain going. Stick collectively and onto the subsequent one.”
