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Liverpool suffered a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Arne Slot made a bullish statement at his pre-match press conference. Having already suffered a Champions League defeat at Rams Park earlier in the season, he insisted his Liverpool team would not make the same mistakes twice. The 1-0 loss in the league phase had been decided by a controversial penalty and several missed chances.
Yet Liverpool’s second trip to Istanbul proved no different. They were beaten again - by the same scoreline. At least they are consistent.
Slot had even suggested beforehand that Hugo Ekitike would not miss another one-on-one if presented with the opportunity in the Turkish capital. The Liverpool head coach was proven wrong. Ekitike spurned a huge chance to equalise in the second half when he had only Uğurcan Çakır to beat.
In truth, it would be harsh to pin the blame on the striker. Ekitike was hardly scintillating, but he was far from Liverpool’s worst performer against Galatasaray. Too many others underperformed.
Perhaps only goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, deputising for the injured Alisson Becker, emerged with genuine credit. Ibrahima Konate endured a calamitous evening and was spared further embarrassment only when the offside flag denied Victor Osimhen a second goal for the hosts. Mohamed Salah’s dramatic loss of form is increasingly baffling, while Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai all struggled to impose themselves.
Liverpool created moments but little of real quality. Chances for Ekitike and Florian Wirtz came largely from Galatasaray mistakes, while the visitors’ disallowed goal arrived from a set-piece. Chances crafted through Liverpool’s own attacking structure remain scarce. At the other end, Slot’s side again looked porous and were fortunate to concede only once.
The performance, in truth, was hardly surprising. What is becoming more shocking this season is when Liverpool actually play well. How often have they truly outplayed opponents across 90 minutes? You could probably count the occasions on one hand.
The Reds’ performances at the start of the season were unexpected but understandable after a significant squad rebuild. Now they are the norm.
Galatasaray may be Turkey’s dominant force but they are hardly a collection of Europe’s elite. Osimhen is the one player who would comfortably strengthen most top sides - although it is worth noting that no Premier League club took a punt on him last summer, despite several strikers moving for big money. Davinson Sánchez never fully convinced at Tottenham, goalscorer Lemina represented Southampton, Fulham and Wolves while Noa Lang is being loaned by Napoli.
Yet it was Liverpool who looked like the team of misfits yet again. The lack of cohesion has been evident for much of the campaign. It explains why their title defence collapsed before December, why their Champions League position is now under threat, and why Slot’s standing as head coach is beginning to come under scrutiny from sections of the fanbase.
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