History repeats itself as African star knocks down Liverpool in Istanbul
.jpeg)
Reading Time: 4min | Tue. 10.03.26. | 22:43
Mario Lemina scores the only goal of the match as Arne Slot's men suffer another excruciating loss (1-0)
A little less than six months ago, Galatasaray defeated Liverpool 1-0 in the opening phase of the Champions League thanks to Victor Osimhen's early goal. Fast forward to this Tuesday night, and the clash between the two sides in the round of 16 at the same venue ended with the same outcome, and with an African star under the spotlight. This time, it was Mario Lemina with an early winner to push his side a step closer to the UCL quarter-finals.
Arne Slot's men had their fair share of promising chances, but Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike missed their clear-cut chances, as the Reds are heading into the return leg with tons of worries on their minds.
One of the most apparent will be Mohamed Salah, who was below par in Istanbul tonight. Moreover, Dominik Szoboszlai was a shadow of his former self, while Alexis Mac Allister was completely clueless in midfield, which - all in all - resulted in that 0 to Liverpool name on the scoreboard.
They did score a goal, though, but it was rightfully voided due to handball. At the same time, Galatasaray were also deprived of goal (Osimhen scored it following Ibrahima Konate's blunder in the six-yard box), because of an offside in the build-up.
Slot's 100th appearance in the Reds' dugout didn't turn out to be worth any celebration, just like with Salah, who became the Liverpool player with the most European caps in history (81), surpassing Jamie Carragher.
Instead of making that night special for them, the Scousers were killed shortly after the start. They conceded from an almost first attack, via set pieces. Osimhen rised on the back post to head it goalwards, where unmarked Lemina slotted it past Ekitike, Kerkez and Mamardashvilli.
The visitors had their chance to strike back almost instantly, but Wirtz's sitter was a clear sign of a hapless night for the Premier League champions.
On the other end, Mamardashvilli's last-gasp reaction prevented Liverpool from conceding another one, before the Georgian keeper made another remarkable save to stop Davinson Sanchez's header.
The second half saw some more courage from the Liverpool side, as they pushed for the equalizer and Mac Allister got the ball on the plate following Joe Gomez's long throw-in, but his effort was just too weak. Unlike him, Ekitike was so close to scoring as he intercepted a loose pass, ran past a defender and was on his way to goal. Alas, instead of a smooth finish, he waited for too long and Galatasaray keeper Ugurcan Cakir made a remarkable save.
Two goals followed, rightfully voided, as Lemina's early opener proved to be the decisive one ahead of the return leg at Anfield, which could probably decide Arne Slot's destiny. If Liverpool don't make it through to the quarter-finals, the Dutchman could be saying his farewell to the Reds at the end of the season.
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - ROUND OF 16
First leg
Tuesday
Galatasaray - Liverpool 1-0 (1-0)
/Lemina 7/
23.00: (4.70) Atalanta (4.50) Bayern (1.70)
23.00: (1.73) Atl.Madrid (3.60) Tottenham (5.10)
23.00: (2.70) Newcastle (4.00) Barcelona (2.45)
Wednesday
20.45: (5.65) Leverkusen (4.30) Arsenal (1.62)
23.00: (2.60) Bodo (3.80) Sporting (2.65)
23.00: (2.00) PSG (3.60) Chelsea (4.00)
23.00: (3.50) Real Madrid (3.90) Man.City (2.05)
***odds are subject to change***