By Damon Forsythe

Liverpool tasted defeat for the second time in Istanbul this season, falling short 1-0 to Galatasaray. Early missed chances by Wirtz cost The Reds last night, meaning they need to win at Anfield by a 2 goal margin if they want to advance into the Champions League last 8. 

Arne Slot’s side was undone once again by a set piece, but it could have been much worse for The Reds as the hosts will feel they should have converted more of their chances. Despite this, Konate thought he had levelled the game but VAR ruled it out for handball against the Frenchman.

Match Review:

Credit: BBC

Liverpool came into this game eager to make amends for the defeat earlier in the competition, where a Victor Oshimhen penalty was the difference. The Turkish opposition had confidence on their side after turning over Juventus 7-5 across two games to progress into the round of 16.

The away side started the better team in the opening five minutes, Florian Wirtz, who had just come back into the starting eleven after injury, had two golden chances to put his side in front but could not convert. 

It was Galatasaray who took the lead moments later, a ball whipped in from the left, fell onto the head of Oshimhen, who knocked it on to former premier league midfielder Mario Lemina, and the Gabonian diverted the ball into the back of the net.

Credit: Liverpool.com

The second half followed a very similar pattern to the first, the Reds started on top but could not create many chances. The half really did follow the same script as the home side thought they doubled their advantage. Konate made a couple of calamitous errors, leading to Oshimhen tapping the ball into an empty net. The centre back had his blushes spared as the goal was ruled out due to Yilmaz being in an offside position and interfering with play. 

Arne Slot’s side best opportunity came via a mistake from Yilmaz, his loose back pass was pounced on by Ekitike, the striker got around former Tottenham Hotspur defender Sanchez, he went one on one with the keeper but had his effort well saved.

Four minutes later, the ball was bundled into the net and the Reds thought they had their equaliser. A bit of confusion on who it came off last from Szoboszlai’s corner but it didn't matter in the end as VAR interfered to disallow the goal, as the ball hit Konate's arm. 

Liverpool failed to build any momentum following the disallowed goal in the final 20 minutes and had to swallow defeat at the hands of Galatasaray for the second time in the same campaign.

Salah Struggles Continue

Credit: The Mirror

Once again another very underwhelming display from Salah, a performance that saw the 33 year-old subbed on the 60th minute. On the day in which he broke the record for the most appearances made in Europe by a Liverpool player, the Egyptian was nowhere to be seen. Liverpool fans were hoping to see him build on his two goals against Wolves in the previous matches but he finished his cameo with zero efforts on goal.

Slot’s Setpiece Problem

Credit: Liverpool Echo

The Dutchman's side once again lost a game thanks to a set piece goal. It is a theme Liverpool fans have seen all season, with the club being top for goals conceded from dead ball situations in the premier league, now the problems have found their way to Europe and was the difference once again. There has no doubt been an improvement going forward since the turn of the year but defensively there are still unsolved issues.

Verdict