UEFA Champions League: Liverpool upset by Galatasaray as defensive frailties continue
Topic:UEFA Champions League
6m ago6 minutes agoTue 10 Mar 2026 at 9:21pm
Virgil van Dijk argues with Galatasaray players
Liverpool and captain Virgil van Dijk (left) endured another frustrating evening away at Galatasaray. (Getty Images: Burak Kara)
In short:
Liverpool has slumped to a 1-0 loss at Galatasaray for the second time this season.
The Reds scuppered a series of early chances, only to concede a goal to Mario Lemina in the seventh minute.
What's next?
Liverpool will host Galatasaray in the second leg at Anfield on March 18.
Galatasaray has secured a 1-0 home win over Liverpool in the first leg of its Champions League last-16 clash on Tuesday, thanks to an early header from Mario Lemina in a compelling contest, with both sides having goals disallowed late on.
Despite early pressure from Liverpool, Lemina put the Turkish side ahead after seven minutes, diving to head home after Victor Osimhen nodded a corner back across goal.
The hosts maintained the momentum after the early goal, with Giorgi Mamardashvili producing several superb saves in the Liverpool the goal.
Just after the hour mark, Osimhen tapped the ball into an open net, but Liverpool was spared as Bariş Alper Yilmaz had been offside in the build-up.
As the clock ticked down, the visitors, in manager Arne Slot's 100th match in charge, began to create chances that forced Galatasaray onto the defensive, with keeper Uğurcan Çakir producing a superb save to deny Hugo Ekitike's chipped effort.
Liverpool did find the net in the 70th minute, forcing the ball over the line following a goal mouth scramble, but the effort was ruled out following a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review, with the ball seemingly striking Ibrahima Konaté's hand before ricocheting into the net.
Liverpool will host Galatasaray in the second leg on March 18.
Reuters
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Posted6m ago6 minutes agoTue 10 Mar 2026 at 9:21pm
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