Arne Slot bemoaned Liverpool’s missed chances against Galatasaray but believes his team’s luck will turn at Anfield.
While Liverpool could well still progress past Galatasaray and into the quarter-finals, their performance in Istanbul was hardly one that inspired belief that a turnaround is possible.
The Reds lost 1-0 in very similar circumstances in their earlier defeat at the same ground in the league phase, but Slot thought Liverpool were an improvement on their September selves.
“Today we’ve created enough to score a goal and of course we scored one, but that one was overturned by the VAR,” said the Dutchman.
“I’m very happy with the squad we are having. They are able to create enough chances for an away game in Europe, in a last-16 match, to score a goal, but not for the first time this season we weren’t able to convert our chances into goals.
“But as I said, it’s only halfway. Anfield to go and I have all the trust that my players can keep generating chances and eventually luck will fall to us somewhere, at least that’s what I believe.”
Blaming luck has been a repeated theme this season, and while there is some truth to Slot’s belief that the Reds have been unfortunate, these decisive moments of misfortune would have mattered less had they buried their own chances.
Against Galatasaray, Liverpool created two big chances according to FotMob, as did the hosts. The teams also both had 15 shots, with the home side producing 1.45 xG to Liverpool’s 1.30 xG.
With Slot bemoaning the Reds’ missed opportunities, a reporter commented that Galatasaray had their own chances.
The Liverpool coach responded: “I don’t think they had a lot of chances in the second half, did they? No.
“They have good players and they are a good team so they will always create chances. They scored five against Juve here at home so that tells you what they are capable of.
“Yeah, we’ve had very good chances, one-on-ones on the goalkeeper and unfortunately couldn’t score.
“But again, as I have to give credit to how they scored their goal, I have to give credit to the way they defend as well because they keep on fighting, throwing themselves in front of balls.
“In that moment when Hugo (Ekitike) went one-v-one, it was the goalkeeper for them to make a very important save.
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Liverpool's Hugo Ekitike lies injured 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)
“But what I do know is now it’s half time. We’ve lost here twice with 1-0, and the good thing is the next game is not played here. It is played at Anfield and our fans can create a similar atmosphere.
“And I don’t think it’s possible that so many things can go against us as happened in the last two games, although sometimes I question that if I look at this season.
“But things will be more normal in a home game for us and I also think we can improve our performance and that, with the help of our fans, has to lead to a big game in a week.”