Arne Slot reacts during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex in Istanbul on March 10, 2026. (Photo by YASIN AKGUL / AFP via Getty Images)placeholder image
Arne Slot reacts during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg football match between Galatasaray SK and Liverpool FC at the Ali Sami Yen Sports Complex in Istanbul on March 10, 2026. (Photo by YASIN AKGUL / AFP via Getty Images) | AFP via Getty Images
Liverpool suffered a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League last 16 first leg.
Arne Slot admitted the white-hot Istanbul atmosphere played a factor in Liverpool’s loss to Galatasaray.
The Reds’ Champions League ambitions hang in the balance after a 1-0 defeat by the Turkish champions in the last 16 first leg. Mario Lemina’s seventh-minute header proved the difference, although Liverpool’s performance left much to be desired.
The visitors did have an equaliser ruled out by VAR, although Galatasaray had a goal chalked off because of offside.
Liverpool suffered a second reverse at Rams Park this season, having lost 1-0 in the league phase last September. The home faithful created a bear pit throughout the showdown, which the Reds struggled with. But in next week’s return leg at Anfield, Slot hopes Kopites can reach fever pitch to help pull his team to victory.
The Liverpool boss said: “I think we started the game really well, even better than three months ago. We were having three or four great moments, with, of course, the biggest moment when Florian [Wirtz], I didn't see it back but it came across as almost an open goal where he could finish that ball. We weren't able to score. Like last time, when we had our chances they five seconds later got their first attack, led to a corner.
“You have to give credit for the way when they get a chance they play as if it is the last chance of their lives. That is definitely something we can learn from them because we sometimes get our chances and it comes across as if we think we get 10 more. So we were 1-0 down and it's already a difficult place to go if you're 0-0, but if you are one goal down it makes it even harder for us, for everyone who's on the pitch, except for their own players. Yeah, a 1-0 loss.
“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. I don't think it's possible that if I look at the last two games 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 I think 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.”
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