Arne Slot’s 100th match as Liverpool boss ended in defeat as Galatasaray capitalised on a sloppy display to win the first leg of this Champions League last-16 tie 1-0 on a deafening evening in Istanbul.
The Premier League champions arrived in Turkey hoping to kick-start a disappointing second season under the Dutchman, only to return home reeling from their second loss of the campaign at rocking Rams Park.
Liverpool, just like in September’s league phase encounter, fell to a 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray, where the VAR’s intervention, sloppy play and poor decisions meant Mario Lemina’s early goal secured the hosts a first leg advantage.
The midfielder headed home as Slot’s side were caught napping at a corner seven minutes into a frantic, end-to-end first half that saw Florian Wirtz waste chances before and after the opener.
Giorgi Mamardashvili, in for injured Alisson Becker, produced some important saves and Ibrahima Konate was breathing a sigh of relief after Victor Osimhen’s second-half goal was ruled out for offside in the build-up.
The defender thought he had equalised, only for the VAR to adjudged he had handled to leave Liverpool trailing heading into next Wednesday’s second leg at Anfield.
Konate saw an equaliser ruled out by VAR Guillermo Cuadra Fernandez for handball during a scrum at a second-half corner and Slot does “not think it’s possible so many things can go against us” as they have in their trips to Galatasaray.
The Liverpool boss believes “things will be more normal in a home game for us” after referee Jesus Gil Manzano’s decision-making got under his skin in Turkey, where he felt the atmosphere influenced his performance.
“It’s always very difficult to talk to referees in a situation like that as they’re in communication with VAR so have to listen to what is being said,” Slot said.
“If, if, if it’s correct that the goal was disallowed, which is difficult to judge as I’ve heard different opinions from people, it’s not completely obvious but let’s say that decision is right.
“Then I was even more frustrated about the fact that every free-kick and corner we took if we only look at Galatasaray players the referee already gave a free-kick for Galatasaray.
“If you then look at how much they pulled on Virgil’s (van Dijk) shirt before the ball hit Ibou’s arm, then it’s safe to say we weren’t the only ones impressed by the atmosphere here today.”
Slot admitted on the eve of the game that the Reds had been taken aback by the ear-splitting Rams Park atmosphere in September, yet they looked unmoved during a sharp start.
Wirtz wasted a great chance from the edge of the box just two minutes in with goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir out of position, but early aggression in attack was undone by tame defending as the hosts threatened for the first time.
Gabriel Sara’s deep corner was all too easily directed back across goal by Osimhen for Lemina to throw himself at the ball and head home.
Osimhen nodded wide as Galatasaray sought a quickfire second as an entertainingly relentless half developed.
Unmarshalled Wirtz wasted another excellent chance when striking into the ground and straight at Cakir, before Konate went close and back-up Mamardashvili produced a pair of fine stops at the other end.
An awkward Noa Lang cross was sneaking home until the intervention of the Georgia international, who would soon deny Davinson Sanchez’s powerful header.
Osimhen struck a snapshot over after a Konate error and Slot’s frustration was visible on the touchline as the first half concluded.
Dominik Szoboszlai stung the palms as Liverpool returned from the break rejuvenated, with Alexis Mac Allister striking just wide after a long throw-in.
Szoboszlai whipped narrowly wide from 20 yards, but the Reds nearly went further behind in the 62nd minute.
Konate’s errors saw him left helplessly watching Osimhen turn in a cross he failed to clear, only for offside against Baris Alper Yilmaz in the build-up to see it ruled out.
Hugo Ekitike seemed set to capitalise on that let-off four minutes later when bursting through to get away a near post shot that Cakir superbly saved.
Liverpool looked to have finally eked out an equaliser in the 70th minute when Szoboszlai’s corner went in off Konate during a scrum, only for the goal to be ruled out for handball after a VAR check.
Cakir had to be alert when Sanchez directed substitute Andy Robertson’s cross at goal, with Ekitike heading over and Cody Gakpo slamming wide near the end.
