Liverpool’s vulnerability from corners has been a thorny issue all season – and so it proved again in Turkey. Only West Ham (15), Chelsea (12) and Nottingham Forest (12) have let in more among Premier League sides.
The goal that decided the first leg came after Victor Osimhen was allowed to rise unchallenged to meet Sara’s corner, and the Nigeria forward headed it straight to Lemina to finish on a bitterly frustrating night for the visitors.
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While Istanbul may evoke memories of celebration for Liverpool fans after their extraordinary comeback win over AC Milan in the 2005 final, the Reds have now failed to win in four away games against Galatasaray.
Having lost 1-0 to the Turkish champions in the league phase back in September, this was a test to see if Slot’s side had learned lessons.
The answer soon became apparent when they conceded early, while there was huge relief when Osimhen’s goal – which would have been his eighth in this season’s competition – was ruled out after Ibrahima Konate got his feet in a tangle.
A 2-0 deficit would have left Liverpool facing an enormous task in the return, yet they are still going to have to come from behind to reach the quarter-finals.
Failure to get through – just as they did last season with a last-16 exit against Paris St-Germain – will only increase the pressure on Slot’s position.
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