Liverpool could have raced out to a lead early against Galatasaray, but Florian Wirtz wasn’t on it.
It’s understandable considering it’s his first game back from injury. Slot included Wirtz in the Liverpool lineup to the surprise of some, starting on the left ahead of Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha.
Within the first five minutes, it looked like a mistake. Wirtz missed an open goal after Liverpool’s suffocating press forced one of a litany of errors from the home side at the back.
Who was Liverpool’s worst player vs Galatasaray? 😬
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
And it happened again after Galatasaray took the lead, which begs the question; did Slot make a mistake bringing him back in this game?
This was not the right game for Florian Wirtz to return
Since the day of the Champions League draw, we knew this first leg was going to be tough.
Liverpool have never won in Istanbul. The Rams Park in particular is a melting pot of hostility and intimidation.
Hindsight is 20/20, but surely Slot will look at the decision to start Wirtz as a hasty one.
Florian Wirtz of Liverpool walks past Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool after the Premier League match between Brentford and Liverpool at Gtech Community Stadium
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
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In 73 minutes, he missed two big chances, failed to create any for his teammates, and had just four touches in the final third.
As I said, not necessarily the fault of Wirtz. That was a lot for a player sidelined for three weeks before making a 20-minute cameo against Wolves at the weekend.
Arne Slot finally dropped Cody Gakpo
It’s funny. We have wanted to see a change on the left for some time, but this was maybe the one match where Gakpo was the right selection.
He was dropped to the bench for a non-winger, in a decision you wouldn’t necessarily have expected from Slot.
Disppointed to be down, or feeling fortunate it’s only 1-0? 👀
Full tie Liverpool 0-1 Galatasaray
Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images
It will be interesting to see what he does for the second leg. Rio Ngumoha is an option for a friendlier Anfield atmosphere. Wirtz on the left doesn’t convince me.
Knowing Slot, he’ll probably go back to Gakpo.
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