Florian Wirtz made his return to the XI on Tuesday but could not prevent Liverpool’s ‘disappointing’ showing against Galatasaray.
When all was said and done, the Reds suffered a 1-0 loss and now have it all to do when they return to Anfield for the second leg fixture on Wednesday, March 18.
Following the clash, Wirtz has made it clear that the meeting in Turkey was ‘very disappointing’ but he doesn’t think the tie is over yet.
Who was Liverpool’s worst player vs Galatasaray? 😬
Ibrahima Konate during Galatasaray AS v Liverpool FC - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 First Leg. Mohamed Salah pictured during Galatasaray v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League.
Credit: Liverpool FC/Cem Hasret Tekkesinoglu/Anadolu/Getty Images
Florian Wirtz backs Liverpool to fight back against Galatasaray
The German took to his Instagram story post-match to speak out on the first leg and promised there would be a fightback in England this time next week.
He wrote: “Very disappointing game and result, but it’s not done yet and we will fight back at Anfield next week.”
Like Wirtz, former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher expects improvements at Anfield and is backing the Merseyside outfit to turn things around and secure their place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League against Chelsea or PSG, who kick off their last-16 meeting on the evening of March 11.
Ok, let’s all agree Slot’s done, who you want to see in the dugout next?
Arne Slot ahead of Galatasaray v Liverpool - UEFA Champions League
Credit: Arife Karakum/Anadolu/Anadolu/Getty Images
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However, the 1-0 loss in Turkey means that Arne Slot’s men have seen their chances of making it into the next stage of the competition slashed.
When the draw for the last-16 was made, Liverpool were given an 82.3% chance of qualifying ahead of their most recent opponents by Opta’s supercomputer.
The Reds do still remain favourites to make it into the next stage, however, their chances have now been slashed to 53.48% after they lost to Galatasaray.
Meanwhile, their chances of going all the way in the competition this season have now slipped to 5.13%.
Arsenal, who Carragher also thinks will go and win the entire tournament, are favourites, followed by Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, Manchester City, Chelsea and then Liverpool.
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