Liverpool return to Anfield with a one-goal deficit to overturn after an all-action first leg against Galatasaray.
Chaotic is the word I would use to describe that 90 minutes of Champions League action.
Liverpool started the game strong, suffocating the home side with relentless pressing and forcing a litany of errors.
They couldn’t capitalise, and Galatasaray got out in front from a corner, nodded home by Premier League veteran Mario Lemina. There were so many chances to level the tie, but Liverpool didn’t deserve a draw. 1-0 isn’t the worst, but the performance itself was pretty woeful.
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Ibrahima Konate during Galatasaray AS v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg. Mohamed Salah pictured during Galatasaray v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League.
Credit: Liverpool FC/Cem Hasret Tekkesinoglu/Anadolu/Getty Images
Liverpool player ratings vs Galatasaray
Giorgi Mamardashvili – 7
Liverpool could be heading back to Anfield in much worse stead if not for some vital stops. Mamardashvili covered for Alisson’s absence about as well as he could.
Joe Gomez – 5
Defensively, Gomez was his usual solid self, but he found himself in attacking positions far too often for a centre-back. The crossing was bad.
Ibrahima Konate – 3
Some frankly brainless plays from Konate in this game. He’s very lucky his errors didn’t result in more goals for the home side. Just looked erratic.
Galatasaray AS v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg
Photo by Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
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Virgil van Dijk – 4
The Liverpool captain wasn’t much better. There were moments where he just looked switched off, and he was uncharacteristically sloppy in possession — he was bailed out by Robertson after a bad mistake on the hour mark.
Milos Kerkez – 5
Kerkez was hooked after 60 minutes after picking up a rather harsh yellow card. Not much to praise or criticise.
Ryan Gravenberch – 6
Gravenberch was quite effective in possession, but there were some head-scratcher moments with him and Van Dijk. He never looked comfortable when a high ball came in. Still, one of the better performers in possession.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5
Quiet game from Mac Allister. Could have had a goal.
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Dominik Szoboszlai in action during Liverpool's Premier League match against Nottingham Forest at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Shaun Botterill). Alexis Mac Allister applauds fans at Anfield during Liverpool's pre-season friendly against Athletic Bilbao (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Shaun Botterill/Liverpool FC
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Szoboszlai was the catalyst for Liverpool’s intense first-half pressing, but he faded out of the game in the second half.
Mohamed Salah – 5
Salah was more involved than some of the other attackers, but he caused no problems for the Galatasaray left-back. The pace just isn’t there.
Florian Wirtz – 4
You could tell Wirtz had been out injured very quickly. He had two gilt-edged chances in the opening minutes, chances you would have expected him to bury. Minimal impact from then on.
Florian Wirtz for Liverpool vs Galatasaray in the Champions League
Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images
Hugo Ekitike – 5
Worked hard. Should have scored in a 1v1 situation. Affected by the atmosphere.
Substitutions
Jeremie Frimpong – 5
Frimpong came on for Salah on the right wing, offering more pace but little in terms of end product.
Andy Robertson – 6
Robertson saved Liverpool shortly after his introduction after Van Dijk gave the ball away.
Cody Gakpo – 5
Don’t remember him on the ball more than once.
One word for this game. Disappointing. Now onto Anfield.
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