Arne Slot says Liverpool must learn to take their chances if they want to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals after losing 1-0 to Galatasaray in the first leg of their last-16 tie
ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - MARCH 10: Liverpool head coach Arne Slot speaks during a press conference after the UEFA Champions League round of 16 play-off first leg match between Galatasaray and Liverpool at RAMS Park in Istanbul, Turkiye, on March 10, 2026. (Photo by Cem Tekkesinoglu/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot speaks during his press conference after the Champions League round of 16 first-leg match at Galatasaray(Image: Cem Tekkesinoglu/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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Arne Slot took responsibility for Liverpool's latest defeat, but says his players must also learn to take their chances if they want to continue their Champions League journey.
The Reds suffered a 1-0 defeat at Galatasaray on Tuesday night for the second time this season after Mario Lemina headed in the only goal of the match after seven minutes in the first leg of their last-16 tie at Rams Park.
Florian Wirtz squandered a couple of excellent openings early on, Alexis Mac Allister and Hugo Ekitike wasted presentable opportunities in the second half, whilst Ibrahima Konate had a scrappy equaliser disallowed for what was judged to be handball.
And Slot said: "We started the game really well, even better than three months ago. We had three or four great moments, the biggest moment when Florian came across almost an open goal but he couldn't finish that ball.
"We weren't able to score and like last time, with their first attack it led to a corner and you have to give credit to the way when they get a chance they play it like it's the last chance of their lives."
Tuesday marked the 12th time this season that Slot's side have lost a game after conceding first and the manager admitted it was up to him to improve in those situations.
"It's definitely something we can learn from. We sometimes get our chances and it comes across like we think we'll get 10 more. It's already a difficult place to come to, but when you're 1-0 down it makes it even harder," reports the Liverpool Echo.
"I wouldn't say it's a frustration but it's a situation we are facing and I'm responsible for it, and we've been facing it for much of the season. We created enough to score a goal. We scored one and it was overturned by the VAR.
ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - MARCH 10: Mario Lemina (L) of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 play-off first leg match between Galatasaray and Liverpool at RAMS Park in Istanbul, Turkiye, on March 10, 2026. (Photo by Elif Ozturk/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Mario Lemina scored the winning goal for Galatasaray(Image: Elif Ozturk/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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The Liverpool head coach added: "I don't think they had a lot of chances in the second half. They have good players and good teams will always create chances. They scored five goals against Juventus so that tells you what they are capable of.
"We have had very good chances, one on ones against the goalkeeper and unfortunately we couldn't score. I have to give to how they defended. They keep on fighting and put themselves in front of the ball.
"What I do know is now it's half-time. We have lost here twice 1-0 and the good thing is the next game isn't played here, it's played at Anfield and our fans can create a similar atmosphere.
Liverpool thought they had equalised from a scrappy corner against Galatasaray only for VAR to rule out the goal
Liverpool thought they had equalised from a scrappy corner against Galatasaray only for VAR to rule out the goal(Image: (Photo by George Tewkesbury/Shutterstock))
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"I don't think it's possible so many things can go against us as they have the last two games (against Galatasaray). Things will be more normal in the home game. And I also think we can improve over performance and that with the help of our fans has to lead to a good game next week."
Galatasaray will have no fans inside Anfield at next Wednesday's second leg following a UEFA ruling over conduct from many supporters who made the trip to Juventus in the previous round.
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