Liverpool lost 1-0 in Istanbul, but it could have been worse if Galatasaray had taken all of its chances in the first leg of the last-16 tie. Defensively, it was an alarming display from the Reds
21:03, 10 Mar 2026
Gabriel Sara is challenged by Ibrahima Konate
Ibrahima Konate was criticized for his poor performance against Galatasaray
Steve McManaman and Joe Hart were hugely critical of Liverpool’s first-leg performance on Tuesday as the Reds fell to a 1-0 Champions League defeat at Galatasaray.
Mario Lemina’s header after seven minutes was the only goal of the last-16 tie in Istanbul, and Liverpool was fortunate to concede just a solitary strike on goal, with Galatasaray creating 15 shots. However, Arne Slot’s side produced the same number in a closely matched contest, with Florian Wirtz missing two big opportunities in the first period, while Alexis Mac Allister fired just wide after the break.
It was a performance that will surely evoke mixed feelings for Slot, who will be concerned by the open nature of the contest and the litany of defensive errors, but will also know his team is capable of turning things around at Anfield next week.
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“I thought it was a very frustrating performance,” said McManaman from the TNT Sports studio.
“They didn't do enough at the top end, even though they had enough chances.
“They were really vulnerable at the back, which I haven’t seen in a while. Anything that went into the penalty area, they looked like they were going to concede. I think Ibou Konate had a night he should quickly forget. He looked at sixes and sevens a lot of the time.”
Ibrahima Konate and Jeremie Frimpong
Konate endured a difficult night against Galatasaray
Konate was fortunate not to hand Victor Osimhen a second goal of the game, when he unorthodoxly flicked his leg at a cross into the box, allowing a comfortable finish for the former Napoli man. Fortunately, an offside in the build-up meant it was disallowed.
“It’s not a good moment,” said fellow pundit Hart. “He didn’t have one of his best performances tonight. Konate would be delighted to look up and see that offside flag up.
“I give Galatasaray real credit,” the former Manchester City goalkeeper added. “They were on it to the end. I think they deserved the win.
“I don’t think Liverpool will be too concerned about the away leg, but on a 90-minute performance, they were a few bad ones out there, and something they’ll want to get out of their system quickly.”
Davinson Sanchez was booked for a challenge on Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike.
Liverpool will need to turn things around in next week's second leg(Image: Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)
Konate was involved in the game’s other controversial refereeing moment. This came at the other end, when Liverpool’s goal from a corner was chalked off for handball against the centre-back, despite it rebounding off several players en route to crossing the line.
“I think Liverpool should have been awarded a goal, to be honest,” said McManaman, as he broke the goal down frame by frame. “If you slow it down, Konate goes up, it brushes his hand onto Davinson Sanchez’s head, but the ball hits the goalkeeper and is going away from goal.
“It hits Virgil van Dijk’s heel, back onto the goalkeeper’s backside and then spins into the net. So accidentally brushing off Konate’s hand, it doesn’t go directly into the goal. It probably should have stood.
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“Saying that, I don’t think Liverpool deserved a draw. They need to liven up and at Anfield, they need to be infinitely better than tonight. They will be because the crowd will go crazy. It wasn’t good enough tonight.”