There were no late heroics Arne Slot’s Liverpool on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League, where Victor Osimhen’s penalty held up in a 1-0 loss to Galatasaray.
MORE — Arne Slot reaction | Champions League table | Scores & schedule
The Reds also lost Alisson Becker and Hugo Ekitike to second-half injuries, adding a bit more misery a few days after suffering defeat at Crystal Palace.
Liverpool overcooked in Galatasaray’s cauldron
Teams hit dry spells and Liverpool’s attack rarely percolated at RAMS Park in Istanbul on Tuesday. Maybe part of that is by design, as Arne Slot played Curtis Jones next to Ryan Gravenberch in the midfield in a bid to control the game. The Reds did that, keeping 67% of the ball and generating 16 shot attempts for 1.78 expected goals. Both of those figures were superior to Gala, but Ugurcan Cakir made four saves in his clean sheet win and second-half subs Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak could not get Liverpool’s zero off the scoreboard. Cody Gakpo created three chances and both Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong dialed up 0.50+ xA, but the finishing was off and that and the penalty made the difference in the game.
What’s next?
Liverpool is in a tough spot, off to Chelsea at 12:30pm ET Saturday before a visit from Manchester United on October 19 and a Champions League trip to Eintracht Frankfurt three days later.
Gala have a huge visit from Besiktas in the league and then go to Istanbul Basaksehir. Their next UCL match is home to October 22 versus Bodo/Glimt, who drew Spurs on Tuesday.
Galatasaray vs Liverpool final score: 1-0
Victor Osimhen pen 16'
Galatasaray vs Liverpool live updates — by Nick Mendola
No penalty
As expected.
Liverpool penalty!
Konate is rolling around on the ground and the referee points to the spot.
This should not stand, as Konate kicked the underside of Singo’s boot.
Cakir was incandescent and saw yellow for his protests.
Liverpool subs
Slot pulling strings in a bid to find an equalizer.
Off goes Hugo Ekitike, who may be injured, with Alexis Mac Allister coming into the game.
A few minutes earlier, we saw Conor Bradley, Mo Salah, and Alexander Isak enter for Jeremie Frimpong, Cody Gakpo, and Ryan Gravenberch.
1-0 Gala, now into the 78th minute.
Alisson injured
Giorgi Mamardashvili is into the game, as Alisson was shaken up making that save.
Alisson saves Osimhen breakaway!
Konate has a pass blocked by the press of Osimhen and the Nigerian races toward the Liverpool box.
Osimhen is closed down enough to feel the pressure, and his low shot is collected by a stooping Alisson.
Still 1-0 Gala now in the 55th minute.
Halftime — Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
Very even.
Shots are 9-5 to Liverpool, but both teams are just over 1.00 xG.
Liverpool have work to do in Turkiye, with Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah on the bench.
Dangerous free kick for Gala
Gravenberch is pick-pocketed by Lucas Torreira and then chops down Osimhen just before he hits the chalk of the 18.
The wall does its job despite Gala’s hopes for a handball call.
Liverpool pushing for equalizer
The Reds have taken nine shots as we near halftime but they still trail through the Osimhen penalty.
Cody Gakpo the early star with three created chances on the stat sheet.
Victor Osimhen penalty goal — Galatasaray 1-0 Liverpool
A stuttering run-up and a centrally converted penalty to make it 1-0.
Victor Osimhen becomes the first Nigerian to reach double figures in the #UCL 🇳🇬💥 pic.twitter.com/GvqTkHVYSa
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 30, 2025
Galatasaray penalty
Baris Yilmaz again at the center of the danger (while driving down the left).
He cuts back and Dominik Szoboszlai swings his arm behind him, making contact with Yilmaz’s face.
The winger takes the invitation to hit the deck, and the referee points to the spot.
Double chance denied for Liverpool
Hugo Ekitike is saved by Ugurcan Cakir, and Liverpool’s bid at the rebound is blocked off the line by Mario Lemina.
Gala attack first!
Yilmaz gets into Liverpool’s end and Alisson Becker has to act quickly to deny the Turkiye star.
Galatasaray lineup
Cakir, Jacobs, Bardakci, Sanchez, Singo, Gundogan, Torreira, Lemina, Yilmaz, Akgun, Osminhen.
Liverpool lineup
Alisson, Kerkez, Konate, Van Dijk, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Jones, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike, Gakpo.
Galatasaray vs Liverpool preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
That shock defeat, which came with basically the last kick of the game, was a wake-up call for Slot as his side had won five games in a row to start the Premier League but hadn’t been at their best as they kept scoring late winners. They did that at home against Atletico Madrid in the opening game of the Champions League league phase two weeks ago too, and Liverpool will want to score a few early to silence the incredible home crowd in Istanbul.
As for the reigning Turkish champions, Galatasaray have won all seven of their opening games in the Turkish Super Lig but they were hammered 5-1 at Eintracht Frankfurt in their Champions League opener. They have plenty of superstars in Victor Osimhen, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sane, Mauro Icardi and Baris Yilmaz but head coach Okan Buruk knows they are the heavy underdogs in this game, and to advance into the knockout rounds of the Champions League.
Galatasaray team news, focus
There are plenty of familiar players starring for Galatasaray with Icardi, Sane and Yilmaz their main creative talents in attack and Victor Osimhen has featured off the bench in recent weeks as he has just recovered from injury. In midfield the likes of Mario Lemina and Lucas Torreira will feature heavily, while Davinson Sanchez will start at center back and Gundogan will be useful off the bench. Galatasaray’s heavy defeat at Frankfurt seems like a bit of a freak result and they should not be underestimated. Especially at home.
Liverpool team news, focus
It will be intriguing to see if Slot shakes things up after the defeat at Palace. Liverpool were all over the place defensively and the likes of Joe Gomez could start at center back alongside Van Dijk, while Jeremie Frimpong could start at right back but don’t be surprised if Dominik Szoboszlai starts there. Who will start up front? Alexander Isak will likely get the nod and Hugo Ekitike (back from suspension) starting on the left with Mohamed Salah on the right and Florian Wirtz as the No. 10 would be unbelievable to see for the first time. But Slot needs Liverpool to have better balance, especially defensively, so Gakpo could get the start on the left and Curtis Jones may get the nod alongside Ryan Gravenberch in midfield to try and have more control in this game. There are plenty of options for Slot and he will likely make changes defensively given recent performances. Federico Chiesa has picked up a small issue and isn’t available for this game.
Galatasaray vs Liverpool prediction
Liverpool will get the job done but it won’t be easy after a few sloppy displays. There will be goals galore and it will be chaotic. Galatasaray 2-4 Liverpool.
