Slot Defeated in Istanbul as Set-Piece Woes Continue
Arne Slot’s milestone 100th match as Liverpool manager ended in a familiar 1-0 defeat against Galatasaray last night, Tuesday 11 March, leaving the Reds with a deficit to overturn at Anfield on Wednesday, 18 March.
In a hostile atmosphere at Rams Park in Istanbul, Turkey, Mario Lemina’s seventh-minute header – capitalising on a Victor Osimhen assist from a corner – exposed Liverpool’s ongoing vulnerability to set-plays.
The visitors appeared uncoordinated and lacked a clinical edge, with Virgil van Dijk showing signs of exhaustion and the attack failing to make an impact. Liverpool struggled to generate opportunities from open play, instead finding themselves dependent on dead-ball situations.
Drama intensified in the second half as VAR took centre stage. Galatasaray had a second goal ruled out for offside, while Liverpool’s late equaliser was disallowed after the ball struck Ibrahima Konate’s arm. Reflecting on the officiating and the intense environment, Slot remarked: “It’s safe to say we were not the only one impressed by the atmosphere today.”
While the result mirrors their September loss in Turkey, the tie remains salvageable. However, Slot warned his players must be more clinical, noting: “Sometimes we treat chances like we’ll get 10 chances more.”
Liverpool now host Tottenham before the decisive second leg on Sunday, 15 March.
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