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Liverpool endured a tough night in Turkiye as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray in their second Champions League league-phase game of the season. Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty was the difference at RAMS Park, but the story of the evening stretched beyond the scoreline. Injuries to Alisson Becker and Hugo Ekitike deepened the Reds’ frustrations on a night where they controlled large portions of the ball but couldn’t break through.
Team News: Four Changes to the Starting XI
Head coach Arne Slot rang the changes ahead of the trip to Istanbul. Jeremie Frimpong, Cody Gakpo, Curtis Jones, and Hugo Ekitike were all drafted into the starting line-up. Liverpool lined up with Alisson in goal behind a defense of Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Milos Kerkez. The midfield saw Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, and Curtis Jones linking play, while the front three featured Gakpo, Frimpong, and Ekitike.
It was a bold selection that looked set up to balance energy and creativity, but fate had other plans once the game unfolded.
Liverpool XI: Alisson (Mamardashvili, 56), Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Jones, Gakpo (Isak, 62), Ekitike (Mac Allister, 69), Frimpong (Salah, 62), Gravenberch (Bradley, 62).
Unused subs: Woodman, Gomez, Endo, Robertson, Ngumoha.
First Half: Missed Chances and a Costly Penalty
The atmosphere at RAMS Park was electric from the opening whistle, with the home fans doing everything possible to make life uncomfortable for the visitors. Alisson was called into action almost immediately, denying Baris Alper Yilmaz with a sharp save that set the tone for a busy evening.
Liverpool grew into the match and started to take control of possession. The Reds created half-chances, the best of which came when Frimpong delivered a dangerous cross into the box. Ekitike, who had peeled away smartly, was waiting to pounce, but Davinson Sanchez stretched to intercept. Moments later, Ekitike rose to meet Gakpo’s delivery but failed to direct his header on target.
Then came the turning point. In the 15th minute, Liverpool were inches from going ahead when Gakpo saw his effort hooked off the line. Within seconds, Galatasaray broke forward. Szoboszlai tangled with Yilmaz in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Osimhen, calm and clinical, stepped up to drill his penalty past Alisson. The Nigerian forward’s strike gave Galatasaray the lead and sent the stadium into chaos.
Liverpool’s response was composed, with plenty of the ball and several attacking moves, but they struggled to turn possession into real danger. Florian Wirtz forced a fingertip save with a snapshot after neat interplay with Frimpong, while Van Dijk and Kerkez both went close during a chaotic scramble from a corner. Still, at half-time, Slot’s men trailed 1-0.
Second Half: Injuries Shift the Game’s Momentum
Liverpool came out with intent after the interval. Ekitike almost equalised with an inventive flick from Frimpong’s cutback, only for Galatasaray goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir to readjust and push the ball away.
But disaster struck soon after. Osimhen outmuscled Gravenberch to create a one-on-one chance, and although Alisson produced an outstanding stop, he injured himself in the process. The Brazilian was replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili, who was immediately called into action to settle nerves.
Slot turned to his bench around the hour mark, bringing on Mohamed Salah, Alexander Isak, and Conor Bradley in search of a spark. Isak nearly made an instant impact, forcing Cakir into a smart stop with his very first involvement.
Just as momentum was building, another setback arrived. Ekitike pulled up with an injury and had to be withdrawn for Alexis Mac Allister. Losing both the main striker and the first-choice goalkeeper in one evening felt like too much to absorb.
Liverpool still pushed. Bradley headed narrowly wide, Salah looked lively on the right, and the Reds penned Galatasaray back for the final stages. The hosts tired visibly, but the equaliser never came.
Late Drama: VAR Denies Liverpool a Penalty
The night had one last twist in stoppage time. Ibrahima Konate went down in the box, and the referee initially awarded Liverpool a penalty. Relief spread among the traveling supporters as it looked like the chance had finally arrived.
However, a VAR review overturned the call, ruling out the spot-kick. With that, Liverpool’s hopes of rescuing a point were gone. Galatasaray held on to claim a famous victory and leave the Reds to reflect on what might have been.
Key Takeaways from Istanbul
- Liverpool’s dominance without reward
Possession and territory were heavily in Liverpool’s favour, but they lacked the cutting edge in the final third. The absence of a ruthless finish cost them dearly. - Injuries complicate the bigger picture
Losing Alisson and Ekitike in the same game is a serious concern for Arne Slot. The goalkeeper is irreplaceable in terms of quality and experience, while Ekitike’s energy had been central to the attacking plan. - Galatasaray’s resilience
The Turkish side deserve credit for their discipline. They soaked up wave after wave of pressure and relied on their goalkeeper and defenders to hold the line when it mattered most. - VAR frustration continues
The overturned penalty at the end will no doubt dominate the post-match discussion. While replays suggested minimal contact, the timing and context made it a bitter pill for Liverpool to swallow. - Group-stage consequences
After two league-phase games, Liverpool now face a more complicated route to the knockout rounds. Dropping points away is not fatal, but the pressure to win at Anfield increases with every setback.
What’s Next for Liverpool?
Slot and his squad must regroup quickly. The schedule does not ease up, and with the Champions League group wide open, their next fixture will be critical. Recovery will be key, especially with the injury list threatening to grow.
The Premier League campaign also looms large, where Liverpool remain firmly in the title picture. Balancing domestic ambitions with European demands is never easy, but this squad has the depth and character to respond.
Final Thoughts
Liverpool’s defeat in Istanbul will sting. They played most of the football, created enough half-chances, and even thought they had a late lifeline. Yet the story was written by Osimhen’s penalty, Galatasaray’s determination, and the cruel blow of injuries.
For Arne Slot, the challenge now is to channel the disappointment into motivation. Nights like this remind teams of the fine margins at the highest level. Liverpool will know they can play better, finish sharper, and manage big moments more effectively. The Champions League is a marathon, not a sprint, and though this was a stumble, it is far from the end.
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YNWA (You’ll Never Walk Alone)!
The Liverpool FC Times Team
LiverpoolFCTimes.com