Liverpool’s tough start to the season continued in the UEFA Champions League with a disappointing 1-0 loss to Galatasaray in Istanbul, driven by a first-half penalty goal. 

More concerning than the second straight defeat were the potential long-term injuries to goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Hugo Ekitike, which immediately stretch the squad ahead of a massive Premier League game against Chelsea. 

While manager Arne Slot defends his player rotation, the team is facing heavy criticism for defensive mistakes and the poor form of key summer signings.

The atmosphere inside the Turkish stadium, with over 50,000 Galatasaray fans generating an intense wall of noise, was a significant factor. 

While Liverpool dominated possession with 66.6% and outshot their opponents 16-9, defensive lapses proved costly. 

The game’s only goal arrived in the 16th minute when right-back Dominik Szoboszlai committed a foul on Baris Alper Yilmaz, leading to a penalty that Osimhen calmly converted.

Manager Arne Slot described the penalty as a “20 percent penalty” and felt his team was “outsmarted,” also criticizing Galatasaray for time-wasting. 

The defensive issues are not new for Liverpool this season; the team has now conceded in seven of their ten games compared to only three at the same point last year. 

Pundit Jamie Carragher voiced strong criticism, stating, “Liverpool aren’t playing like a top team… It’s a mess.”

The team did create chances, with Florian Wirtz forcing a save and Ibrahima Konate missing a close-range header. 

However, Konate’s own poor square pass nearly led to a second Osimhen goal, which was only prevented by a crucial, but injurious, intervention by Alisson. 

This defeat continues a poor trend for Liverpool in European away fixtures.

The biggest concern from the evening was the double injury blow. 

Alisson Becker, who was instrumental in last season’s title challenge by securing 12 clean sheets in 28 league games, was forced off in the 56th minute with a hamstring injury after making a vital save. 

Slot expressed deep concern, noting, “When my player is on the floor, nine out of 10 times I fear the worst.” 

The Brazilian goalkeeper is confirmed out for the upcoming Premier League match against Chelsea and faces scans that could sideline him for weeks.

Adding to the attacking worries, forward Hugo Ekitike, who has scored five goals in eight appearances this season, was also substituted in the 68th minute after stretching for a ball and appearing to tweak his hamstring. 

While Slot was cautious about the severity, saying, “Let’s see how he is for the weekend,” the absences will stretch the squad’s depth, particularly in the attack, with Alexander Isak also not at full sharpness. 

Summer signing Giorgi Mamardashvili stepped in for Alisson and made a solid impression, but the reliance on his immediate performance will be high.

Arne Slot’s decision to rotate the squad, specifically benching key players like Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak, drew attention. 

Salah, who last missed a Champions League starting XI three years ago, entered the game after an hour but couldn’t ignite a comeback. 

Slot defended his strategy as necessary to “manage situations” within a grueling schedule.

The continued poor form of Florian Wirtz, a £100 million summer signing who is yet to register a goal or assist in either the league or Europe, also remains a point of criticism, with Carragher urging his temporary removal from the starting lineup. 

Captain Virgil van Dijk urged a calm approach, saying, “I hate losing… There shouldn’t be panic, but improvement is needed.”

Despite the setback, Liverpool still leads the Premier League table. 

The immediate focus now shifts to the away game against Chelsea this Saturday, which will be a significant test of the team’s resilience. 

The international break immediately follows the Chelsea match, offering a brief window to address defensive cohesion and Wirtz’s integration before a packed run of domestic and European fixtures. 

Slot maintains a positive outlook, suggesting that the team is “not so far off last season” and that the demanding schedule often leads to such results.