A second 1-0 defeat of the season away to Galatasaray leaves Liverpool needing to overturn the deficit in the return leg next week.
## Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
Champions League Last 16, First Leg | RAMS Park
March 10, 2026
Goals
Lemina 7′
Stats
Possession: 46% – 54%
Shots: 15 (4) – 15 (6)
Big Chances: 2 – 2
Expected Goals (xG): 1.44 – 1.28
Wirtz and Ekitke return in attack
Arne Slot made five changes to the team that started last week’s FA Cup win over Wolves, with Florian Wirtz returning to the starting lineup for the first time since injury, and Hugo Ekitike returning after being rested.
Giorgi Mamardashvili made his first appearance in two months following injury to Alisson.
The lineup meant a return to last season’s regular midfield of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.
An open first half
After defeat in the league phase in this encounter, Liverpool were out for a better result and a better start.
Wirtz had a good opportunity in the opening moments when the home goalkeeper gifted a chance, which the German should probably have done better with, then again soon after he should have made a better decision.
The Reds, in their green change kit, certainly started on top, but then went and conceded from a corner in the seventh minute.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Galatasaray's Gökdeniz Gürpüz scores the first goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Victor Osimhen won the header and Mario Lemina nodded in from close range to give the home side the lead against the run of play.
From there, the game was incredibly open. Osimhen had another free header from a cross soon after, then Wirtz fired a shot straight at the ‘keeper, while yet another free header forced Mamardashvili into a good save.
Defensively Liverpool were far too open, especially for a European away first leg, while their decision making in the final third was poor.
For the 24th time in 44 games this season, Liverpool failed to score in the first half.
Half-time: Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
Missed chances
Szoboszlai tested the ‘keeper with a thunderous strike from distance straight after the break, then Mac Allister placed a shot wide after a long throw from Joe Gomez.
Slot opted for a change on the hour, with Mo Salah withdrawn for Jeremie Frimpong.
Osimhen had the ball in the net after a shambles of a defensive line, but the offside flag saved Liverpool.
Ekitike should have equalised when he was through on goal but he hesitated and the defender got back in time.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Liverpool's Mohamed Salah sits on the bench following his substitution during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 1st Leg match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool thought they’d equalised from a corner with 20 minutes to go, but VAR eventually ruled it out for handball against Konate.
Both sides had further chances, with neither able to control the game. Slot’s admission that his side struggle against teams that play a low block certainly wasn’t relevant here.
The return leg at Anfield takes place next Wednesday, before then Liverpool host Tottenham on Sunday.
Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool: Match Facts
Galatasaray: Cakir; Singo, Bardakci, Sanchez, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Yilmaz, Sara, Lang; Osimhen
Subs: Sen, Guvenc, Boey, Elmali, Sallai, Ayhan, Gundogan, Akgun, Sane, Kutucu, Asprilla, Icardi
Liverpool: Mamardashvili; Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez (Robertson 60′); Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah (Frimpong 60′), Szoboszlai, Wirtz (Gakpo 73′); Ekitike
Subs not used: Woodman, Misciur, Nallo, Jones, Nyoni, Ngumoha, Morrison
Referee: Jesus Gil Manzano (ESP)
Next match: Tottenham (H) – Premier League – Sunday, March 15, 4.30pm