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The wheels of Liverpool’s bus haven’t completely come off just yet, but they’re starting to waver.
In a city famous for its grand triumphs, this match became a self-inflicted Istanbul “Hell” for Liverpool.
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Credit: Getty
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Credit: Reuters
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Arne Slot is likely to have second thoughts about holding back Mo Salah and Alexander Isak until the final moments against Galatasaray.
This represents two defeats in just four days following their last-minute loss to Crystal Palace.
This match was equally damaging, especially with Alisson having to leave the field, casting doubt on his availability for Saturday’s clash with Chelsea.
Once again, Liverpool’s defensive frailties and the difficulty in achieving a cohesive performance from their expensive squad were starkly apparent.
After starting the season with six consecutive victories, reality struck hard by the Bosphorus, with Dominik Szoboszlai being one of many Liverpool players to experience a night to forget.
Victor Osimhen’s penalty in the first half became a pivotal moment, although Slot wouldn’t claim his team was robbed.
From the start, they exhibited carelessness, were easily exploited on the flanks, and struggled offensively.
Slot secured the title last year by refining Jurgen Klopp’s squad.
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This squad reflects his £450 million summer investment.
Nonetheless, Isak isn’t fully fit, Florian Wirtz is feeling the pressure, Salah hasn’t regained his usual flair, and Hugo Etitike appears uncertain.
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This ultimately led to two points dropped, and rightfully so. There were no last-minute rescues this time.
By resting both Salah and Isak against a team featuring five former Premier League players, including ex-Man City star Ilkay Gundogan, the decision proved costly from the start.
Galatasaray hadn’t secured a Champions League home win since 2018, nor managed a clean sheet in over 20 European matches dating back to March 2022, with a goalless draw against Barcelona.
This also marked the first time Liverpool failed to score in a Champions League group or league match since November 2020.
What transpired was chaos from the outset.
Szoboszlai, deployed again at right-back, avoided punishment when he allowed Baris Alper Yilmaz to slip past him just two minutes into the game.
However, relief was short-lived when the Hungarian made another misstep seconds after Liverpool could have taken the lead.
Perhaps Szoboszlai was among those wondering why neither Etitike, who was clean through on goal, nor Cody Gakpo, whose rebound was cleared off the line by left-back Ismael Jakoba, had failed to score.
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Credit: PA
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Credit: PA
Despite this, he was exposed as Yilmaz made a determined run, with Szoboszlai oddly positioning himself poorly and hitting the Galatasaray player with a trailing arm.
Osimhen took advantage, sending the penalty straight down the middle and igniting chaos within Ram’s Park, a hub of passion and energy.
This put Liverpool in a situation where they needed to keep calm, particularly with Galatasaray willing to let them have possession before pressing hard to create mistakes.
There were brief flashes from the Premier League champions, but they were sparse, with key passes lacking assertion.
Wirtz forced a sprawling save from Ugurcan Cakir, before a scramble in the box left Etitike crowded out.
Then, Ibrahima Konate, shaky defensively yet effective at set-pieces, sent a header from a corner at the near post wide. He should have performed better.
Liverpool fell into Galatasaray’s trap, exposed on the flanks, careless with the ball, allowing the home team to thrive off their hesitation.
Jeremie Frimpong, playing in the “Salah” position on the right, set up Ekitike for a back-heel that was blocked at the start of the second half as Liverpool aimed to assert their game.
Yet, a poor pass from Konate let Osimhen in, with Alisson boldly coming out to challenge the Nigerian but sustaining an injury that led to his exit, with Giorgi Mamardashvili coming on.
Salah, Isak, and Conor Bradley entered shortly after the hour mark, with Etitike shifting to the left before later leaving the pitch injured, replaced by Alexis Mac Allister.
Isak did have a chance but shot straight at Cakir, and moments later, referee Clement Turpin apparently granted them a chance as Konate fell in the area.
However, VAR correctly intervened, confirming that Wilfrid Singo had touched the ball first.
No rescue was on the horizon. And honestly, they didn’t earn one either.
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Credit: Reuters
