Match Report: Galatasaray 1 - Liverpool 0

Match Day: Tuesday 30th September 2025 (8pm)

Galatasaray Scorers:

Victor Osimhen (16' - Penalty)

Lineups: Click Here

Match Report:

You would think that a Champions League game would get the Liverpool players to focus and back to winning ways after the recent disaster against Crystal Palace in their last Premier League fixture.  But no, this game away to the second loudest crowd in European football would prove too difficult a fixture for the reds.   Slot had finally opted to rest Salah on the bench and play Frimpong on the right wing position, with Szoboszlai playing at right back.  The midfield trio consisted of Curtiz Jones, Gravenberch, and Wirtz, with Cody Gakpo, at left wing and the striker position given to Ekitike.

Galatasaray had not lost a game yet this season in their domestic or champions league fixture, and despite their team consisting of a mixture of players - many of them with experience having plied their trade at other big European hitters.  The first half saw a Liverpool team that were again diss-jointed and unable to string passes together, a simple ball over the top led to their left winger being fouled by Szoboszlai which led to a penalty that Osimhen put away with ease. Only 16 minutes into the game and they were ahead.  Liverpool only had a single clear chance in the first half which was missed by a combination Frimpong and Wirtz.  That's all there is to say about the first half, it was noisy and again awful from Liverpool.

The second half was slightly better only because - as in all their previous games - Liverpool were passing a little quicker but the same problems still persisted.  The worst of it was when Konate lost the ball and Alisson had to make a quick sprint to save the day but only at his own expense as he had to be taken off with no doubt that same hamstring injury he had last season.   Other key moments included Gravenberch losing the ball while doing his signature turn, and Curtis Jones also lost the ball in a dangerous area that could have led to a goal but for his accurate tackle to retrieve the ball back.  They nearly got away with it, as Konate was fouled in the Galatasaray penalty area as he tried to take a shot - it looked like he was taken down and the referee pointed straight to the spot only for it to be ruled out by VAR (correctly).  Isak had no chances if truth be told and like the Palace game was a bystander for most of his time on the pitch.  Salah when he came on tried to get involved, but Galatasaray crowded him out well.  Wirtz made a couple of chances but they were less than half chances in reality - and no one could capitalize on them in any case.  Liverpool did have a flurry of free kicks and corners towards the end of the half and in extra time - but it was just uncoordinated and messy.  If you were a supporter watching Liverpool then maybe you were like me - praying for the referee to blow the whistle so that the noise could just stop and this Liverpool team could stop embarrassing itself on the world stage.

It would appear that pre-season was never enough time to get this team to gel, all the faults that they were getting away with in the games before facing Crystal Palace are now coming to light and for all to see.  If they continue this way then the title challenge could be over soon along with quick exits from the cup competitions.  As a team they are not even creating the same volume of chances that they created last season despite enhancing their attack with what most people would consider better quality of players.  They lack creativity when facing low block teams, and the slow buildup in their play (which might be what people call 'Slot Ball') is not helping.  Wirtz still looks lost, and like Frimpong - very lightweight.  It was reported that last season they lost their second game in all competitions in their 29th match, this season they have lost their second game in the 9th match.  Chelsea will be a different proposition for Liverpool, a team that has also suffered from successive defeats domestically; but Liverpool need to be at their best to beat them in a tough away fixture this coming Saturday.