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Liverpool’s night in Istanbul turned into one of frustration and concern as they slipped to a 1-0 Champions League defeat against Galatasaray at RAMS Park. Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty proved the difference, but the bigger story was the injuries that forced both Alisson Becker and Hugo Ekitike off in the second half.
Arne Slot’s post-match press conference gave a frank and honest view of the performance, the squad challenges, and the growing impact of rotation. Here’s a closer look at what the Liverpool boss had to say and what it means for the Reds moving forward.
A Difficult Night in Istanbul
Slot did not hide his disappointment after the loss but was careful to highlight how this defeat felt different from the one at Crystal Palace a few days earlier.
“Disappointing because you play football to win a game and that’s what we didn’t do,” he said. “For me it was a different loss to the one we had against Palace because there was a lot more to like, especially in the first half. In the second half, it became harder and harder for us to create. First of all, because they were fighting with all they had so you have to give credit to them and second of all because we hardly played in the second half. The ball was hardly in play.”
It was a fair assessment. Liverpool started brightly but struggled after the break to find rhythm or real openings. Galatasaray disrupted the flow, and once ahead, they were determined to protect it.
Injury Worries: Alisson Becker and Hugo Ekitike
The result itself was damaging, but the bigger concern came with two key injuries. Alisson Becker was the first to go down after making a one-on-one save against Osimhen. He immediately signaled he could not continue.
Slot’s comments afterward painted a worrying picture:
“When he sprinted back he felt something,” Slot explained.“Normally when a player feels something, goes to the floor, and doesn’t come back onto the pitch, it’s not good.”“He will not be able to play Saturday. That’s 99.9 percent. I said 100 before, but let’s make it 99.9 although I think it’s 100.”
That means Alisson will miss the trip to Chelsea, leaving the Reds without their first-choice goalkeeper for one of the toughest Premier League away fixtures of the season.
Ekitike followed soon after, limping off in the 68th minute after stretching for a ball. He too looked uncomfortable.
“He felt something when he had to reach for the ball,” Slot revealed. “After the game players sometimes think it’s not too bad, but walking around is different from sprinting or shooting. He said he couldn’t continue, so we had to take him off. Let’s see how he is for the weekend.”
Liverpool fans will be hoping the French striker’s issue is minor, especially given the team’s current need for attacking options.
The Struggles of Rotation
Another theme from Slot’s press conference was squad management. With injuries and the demands of a packed schedule, Liverpool have been rotating heavily, but it comes with risks.
“It’s difficult. There can be so many reasons why a player makes a mistake,” Slot said. “A few players missed pre-season so you cannot play them every single game. If you do, it becomes a risk of injury. We have seen this more and more.”
The manager explained that the squad size is intentionally smaller, to keep everyone involved, but it leaves him vulnerable when injuries pile up.
“We don’t have 25 or 26 players. If we end up with two, three or four injuries, then 15 or 16 players have to play almost all the minutes and things become complicated. But this is a decision we made together. I completely believe in it, but the reality is it does create challenges.”
Slot pointed to players like Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, and Alexis Mac Allister, who missed significant parts of pre-season. That makes it difficult to use them in every game.
The Right Flank Question
Another talking point was Slot’s decision to start Jeremie Frimpong ahead of Dominik Szoboszlai on the right. With Mohamed Salah rested after heavy minutes, the choice was always going to raise eyebrows.
“Jeremie played a lot of times as a wing-back or right winger at Leverkusen,” Slot said. “He plays there for his national team as well. He is one of the players who can replace Mo in that position. I don’t see many others who can play there comfortably.”
The tactical situation was slightly different on the night, as Galatasaray’s setup forced adjustments, but Slot defended the choice and praised both Frimpong and Szoboszlai for adapting.
A Different Kind of Defeat
What stood out most in Slot’s press conference was his insistence that this loss had positives. Unlike the Crystal Palace defeat, where Liverpool were flat, the first-half display in Istanbul offered promise.
The frustration came from how the second half played out. With constant stoppages, fouls, and interruptions, Liverpool could never build sustained pressure. Slot was keen to credit Galatasaray for their effort while also admitting his side failed to rise above the disruption.
What It Means for Chelsea
Looking ahead, the injuries to Alisson and Ekitike cast a long shadow over the upcoming Premier League trip to Stamford Bridge. Chelsea have been inconsistent but remain a dangerous side, especially at home.
Without Alisson, Liverpool will likely turn to their backup goalkeeper, and that will bring immediate scrutiny. Ekitike’s potential absence leaves Arne Slot with fewer attacking options, at a time when goals have not been easy to come by in recent weeks.
The manager’s challenge will be to steady his squad mentally. Consecutive defeats to Palace and Galatasaray could dent confidence, but Slot has been consistent in reminding everyone that this is a long season, and perspective is needed.
The Bigger Picture
Injuries, rotation, and tight schedules are not unique to Liverpool, but they feel particularly acute at the moment. The Reds are in a transitional phase under Slot, who is trying to balance development with immediate results.
The positives? Liverpool still showed fight, and Slot’s honesty in addressing challenges is refreshing. He isn’t hiding behind excuses, but he is also pointing out the reality of player fitness and squad depth.
The negatives? The lack of cutting edge in attack and the mounting injuries. Losing Alisson, even for a short period, is a massive blow. Ekitike’s situation could further limit attacking flexibility.
Conclusion
Arne Slot’s reaction to the 1-0 loss in Istanbul was measured but honest. He acknowledged the disappointment, credited the opposition, and laid out the realities of squad management. More importantly, he confirmed what Liverpool supporters feared: Alisson will miss Chelsea, and Ekitike is a doubt.
It was not the night Liverpool hoped for in Turkey. A Champions League away trip is always tough, but this one felt like a double setback: a defeat on the scoreboard and damage to the squad.
Now, all eyes turn to Stamford Bridge, where Liverpool will look to respond without their goalkeeper and possibly without one of their main strikers. For Slot, the challenge is clear: keep belief within the squad, manage the minutes of those returning from fitness issues, and find a way to turn disappointment into determination.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com