GALATASARAY STUN LIVERPOOL IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE LAST-16 CLASH

Read Time:3 Minute, 18 Second

Mario Lemina’s goal handed Galatasaray a 1-0 win over Liverpool in the Champions League last-16 first leg on Tuesday, putting the Reds at risk of a surprise elimination.

Liverpool paid the price for a disjointed performance in Istanbul as Mario Lemina struck in the first half to give Galatasaray a 1–0 advantage at a raucous RAMS Park.

Arne Slot’s men are hoping to rescue a difficult campaign by lifting the Champions League for the first time since 2019.

However, the six-time European champions — currently sixth in the Premier League less than a year after winning the title — must produce a turnaround in the second leg at Anfield on March 18 to avoid what could become the lowest point of their troubled season.

Arne Slot will have little to celebrate from his 100th game in charge of Liverpool, as the Reds were exposed by poor defending and a lack of attacking cohesion.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah made his 81st Champions League appearance for Liverpool, overtaking Jamie Carragher to become the club’s most capped player in the competition.

For Mohamed Salah, it was another forgettable night, as the Egypt forward was substituted in the 60th minute following an anonymous display.

Liverpool, who also fell 1-0 to Galatasaray in the Champions League group stage in September, again struggled under the intense pressure created by the Turkish club’s fervent supporters.

Galatasaray’s intimidating fanbase is notorious for such displays, famously greeting Manchester United with a “Welcome to Hell” banner at Istanbul airport ahead of their 1993 European Cup clash.

Galatasaray’s supporters set the tone for another electric atmosphere by displaying a banner echoing their famous “Welcome to Hell” message before kick-off.

In their first Champions League last-16 tie since 2014, the Turkish side stretched their unbeaten record in home knockout matches to 11, a run dating back to 1973.

Florian Wirtz made his first start for Liverpool since February 14 following a back injury.

The Germany international nearly marked his return with a goal inside three minutes, intercepting a loose pass from Galatasaray keeper Ugurcan Cakir, but his effort from the edge of the area went narrowly wide.

It was Galatasaray, however, who struck first in the seventh minute, capitalizing on Liverpool’s persistent set-piece vulnerabilities. The Reds, exposed all season from corners, were caught out as Victor Osimhen outjumped Joe Gomez to flick on, allowing former Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina to convert with a diving header from close range, punishing poor marking by Hugo Ekitike and Milos Kerkez.

Liverpool looked shell-shocked at the back, with Victor Osimhen left unmarked and heading wide from 10 yards.

Galatasaray briefly wavered under pressure when a slick move involving Noa Lang and Alexis Mac Allister opened their defence, but Florian Wirtz fired straight at keeper Ugurcan Cakir.

Deputising for the injured Alisson Becker, Giorgi Mamardashvili had to stretch to keep out Lang’s curling effort and later made another fine save to deny Davinson Sanchez’s towering header over Virgil van Dijk.

The Reds, lacking rhythm and momentum, were fortunate not to concede again after Ibrahima Konate’s sloppy error presented Osimhen with another chance, which he wasted.

Dominik Szoboszlai attempted to spark Liverpool after half-time with a long-range strike that tested Cakir, while Mac Allister squandered a gilt-edged opportunity moments later, shooting wide from inside the area.

Liverpool escaped after more shambolic defending allowed Osimhen to tap in, with Baris Alper Yilmaz ruled offside in the build-up, even though he wasn’t interfering with play.

Ekitike squandered a golden opportunity when Cakir raced off his line to block the striker’s shot.

Even when Liverpool finally got the ball in the Galatasaray net, they were denied as VAR ruled Konaté used his arm to guide Szoboszlai’s 70th-minute corner past Cakir.

Encapsulating Liverpool’s night to forget, Cody Gakpo fired inches wide in the final moments.

AFP