The media didn’t hold back in their criticism of Liverpool, following a dreadful performance against Galatasaray that exposed several flaws.
The Reds were beaten 1-0 in Turkiye on Tuesday evening, and if anything, they were fortunate not to lose by a wider margin.
Here’s how the media reacted to Liverpool’s defeat.
This wasn’t good enough from Liverpool…yet again!
David Lynch didn’t pull any punches, describing Liverpool as “awful” on the night:
“Liverpool can still turn this tie around at Anfield, but this was another awful performance from a side that, in theory, should be improving towards the end of a ‘transition season’.
“When Richard Hughes does his totting up this summer, this game will surely be hard to forget.”
The result wasn’t the worst, but ESPN’s Beth Lindop was still critical:
“Probably not the worst result for Liverpool. Way too many players miles off it. Defensively shambolic at times and wasteful in attack.
“Joe Gomez and Ibou Konate really struggled at times. Big night at Anfield next week.”
The Athletic‘s Andy Jones feels Liverpool are too flawed defensively:
“Liverpool looked vulnerable throughout.
“One of their biggest problems came from opponents’ crosses, which were flung incessantly into the box from either flank…
“Maybe communication was an issue in the din whipped up by the home support. In truth, that should not be an excuse.”
ISTANBUL, TURKEY - Tuesday, March 10, 2026: Liverpool's Ibrahima Konaté reacts to his mistake leads to Galatasaray's second goal but it was later disallowed for offside 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)
Speaking on TNT Sports, Steve McManaman was left frustrated with Liverpool’s display:
“I thought it was a very frustrating performance.
“They didn’t do enough at the top end, even though they had enough chances. And they were really vulnerable at the back which I haven’t seen for a while.
“Anything that went into the penalty area, they looked like they were going to concede.”
Thom Gibbs of the Telegraph is struggling to see an unlikely Champions League triumph this season:
“Liverpool lost 1-0 at Galatasaray for the second time in this season’s Champions League with a performance suggesting few lessons had been learnt from their previous visit.
“European football has rescued dicey domestic seasons for Liverpool before but there was little evidence here of a team casting off their shackles.
“Once again they seemed unable to match the intensity of a uniquely challenging away assignment in Istanbul.”
Jonathan Wilson of the Guardian tried to find a crumb of comfort in the result:
“The good news for Liverpool is that the situation is salvageable, when it really might not have been.
“The bad news is that they were distinctly second best for the first three quarters of the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie…
“There were chances for Liverpool in the final quarter, but this was Galatasaray’s night. The question is whether one goal is enough.”
Finally, BBC Sport‘s Neil Johnston felt it was another night that cranked the pressure on Arne Slot:
“A 2-0 deficit would have left Liverpool facing an enormous task in the return, yet they are still going to have to come from behind to reach the quarter-finals.
“Failure to get through – just as they did last season with a last-16 exit against Paris St-Germain – will only increase the pressure on Slot’s position.”