Reigning Premier League champions and league leaders could also be held to increased requirements than most, however trigger for concern in Liverpool is justified. Arne Slot presided over again‑to‑again defeats for under the second time in his Liverpool tenure as Galatasaray triumphed on a raucous night time in Istanbul. The efficiency ought to bother Liverpool's head coach greater than the end result.
Liverpool had been sloppy, once more, suspect defensively, once more, and brief on concepts as they succumbed to Victor Osimhen's first-half penalty. Defeat would have been heavier had the Galatasaray striker not squandered two clear openings early within the second half however was deserved nonetheless.
The guests had been nearly reprieved by the award of an 89th‑minute penalty however even that didn't go their manner. The referee, Clément Turpin, overturned his determination to penalise Davinson Sánchez for a foul on Ibrahima Konaté – the previous Tottenham defender performed the ball first – after reviewing the incident on the pitchside monitor.
Slot defended Liverpool's efficiency alongside together with his determination to relaxation Mohamed Salah till the 62nd minute. He additionally blamed a disjointed second half on Galatasaray's tendency to go down on the slightest contact.
Defeat, nonetheless, was largely self-inflicted.
It was a shock to see Salah on the bench for such a excessive‑profile European event even taking into consideration his modest begin to the season and up to date workload. Alexander Isak, Alexis Mac Allister and Conor Bradley had been additionally benched as Slot made 4 modifications from the aspect overwhelmed at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Jeremie Frimpong took Salah's place with Dominik Szoboszlai stationed behind him at right-back once more. The Hungary midfielder got here in for a testing night time in opposition to the tempo of Baris Alper Yilmaz. The identical may very well be mentioned of your complete Liverpool crew within the first half as Galatasaray embraced the event.
Rams Park, or Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi to present Galatasaray's house their unsponsored identify, pulsated with noise 45 minutes earlier than kick‑off. Incessant, deafening whistles greeted each Liverpool contact after it. There was additionally an aesthetic second at kick-off when a tribute to Diogo Jota was displayed on the enormous display screen and the digital hoardings across the enviornment.
Okan Buruk's crew have made a 100% begin to the Tremendous Lig season as they pursue a fourth consecutive Turkish league title however home dominance has not transferred into European competitors typically. This was solely Galatasaray's second win in 19 Champions League group video games, coming off the again of a 5-1 trouncing at Eintracht Frankfurt on the opening night time, and it appeared your complete membership – gamers to fanbase – had been decided to make amends.
Yilmaz scorched previous Szoboszlai at Galatasaray's first assault. The ahead was by on objective however, as at Selhurst Park, Alisson stood his floor properly to make an necessary block. There could be no reprieve for Liverpool's makeshift full-back when Yilmaz subsequent ran at him.
Hugo Ekitiké steered a free header vast from Cody Gakpo's cross because the guests tried to silence the din. Gakpo created one other opening for Ekitiké when slipping him by with a neat go. Ugurcan Cakir stood tall and saved together with his legs just for the rebound to fall to Gakpo. His volley was blocked on the road by Ismail Jakobs and 25 seconds later, after Florian Wirtz had squandered possession with an over-elaborate back-heel, Galatasaray had been awarded a penalty. The hosts broke by Ilkay Gündogan and Yilmaz, who once more attacked Szoboszlai from the left and in the reduction of contained in the defender earlier than collapsing to the bottom.
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Yilmaz was caught within the face by Szoboszlai's trailing hand – it was extra of a stroke of the stubble than a correct slap – however Turpin pointed instantly to the spot. Osimhen drilled the spot-kick straight down the centre of Alisson's objective.
Liverpool dominated possession and outnumbered the Galatasaray defence on a number of counterattacks with out creating a transparent alternative. Cakir saved from Wirtz at shut vary, determined defending prevented Ekitiké and Milos Kerkez changing on the ensuing nook, and Konaté headed vast on the close to put up. However Slot's aspect had been unconvincing on the again and nearly punished once more when Osimhen dispossessed Ryan Gravenberch earlier than being tripped by the midfielder simply exterior the Liverpool space. The £65m striker felt he was denied a transparent goalscoring alternative however Gravenberch was punished with a yellow card.
Osimhen, a disruptive power all night time, was gifted an opportunity to double the hosts' lead when he dispossessed Curtis Jones and burst by on objective. Jones atoned with an excellent problem. A mixture-up between Konaté and Gravenberch supplied Osimhen one other opening however he shot tamely at Alisson. The Liverpool keeper was injured within the course of and had to get replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili.
Alisson's alternative was hardly troubled as soon as Osimhen departed with an damage. Neither was Cakir, regardless of Liverpool penning Galatasaray in in the course of the closing levels. One other unconvincing show for Slot to digest.
