Liverpool’s shaky start to the season took another blow on Tuesday night as they slumped to a shock 1-0 Champions League defeat against Galatasaray in Istanbul. Victor Osimhen’s 16th-minute penalty proved decisive, exposing once again the Reds’ defensive frailties and lack of cutting edge under new manager Arne Slot.
The loss marked Liverpool’s second defeat in just four days, following their weekend slip at Crystal Palace, and only the second time Slot has suffered back-to-back defeats since replacing Jurgen Klopp. Despite a summer rebuild and high expectations after last season’s Premier League triumph, the performance left serious questions hanging over the squad’s form and cohesion.
Slot, who controversially left Mohamed Salah and record signing Alexander Isak on the bench, watched his side struggle to create meaningful chances while looking vulnerable at the back. His gamble of playing Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back backfired as Baris Alper Yilmaz won a soft penalty, which Osimhen coolly converted after previously being denied by Alisson Becker in past encounters.
Liverpool did threaten briefly — Hugo Ekitike saw a golden chance cleared off the line and Cody Gakpo was denied moments before the opener — but a toothless attack and more defensive lapses ensured the night belonged to the Turkish champions.
Alisson, who made several key saves to keep the scoreline respectable, was forced off injured in the second half, adding to Liverpool’s growing concerns. Substitutes Salah and Isak failed to change the tempo, with Isak’s only effort comfortably gathered by goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.
Galatasaray, humiliated 5-1 by Eintracht Frankfurt in their group opener, looked a completely different side at home, backed by a roaring crowd that fueled their resilience. They almost doubled the lead in stoppage time when Lucas Torreira went inches wide.
For Liverpool, the night in Istanbul underlined what has already been an unconvincing campaign — a star-studded squad yet to find rhythm, and a manager still searching for answers.
