As a result of Victor Osimhen’s 16th-minute penalty, Liverpool suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray on Tuesday.
The English champions were punished for their most recent performance in Istanbul, where they only suffered back-to-back defeats under Arne Slot for the second time.
A series of late winners have maskred an unconvincing start since a summertime transformation of the squad that won the Premier League title last year, but Liverpool were defeated for the first time this season at Crystal Palace on Saturday.
In response, Slot made four changes, starting with Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah, for which he was replaced for a salary of £125 million ($168 million).
Only Alisson Becker could have prevented a humiliating half-time score, according to the Dutchman, who was critical of Liverpool’s first-half performance at Palace.
In yet another disjointed display, Slot, despite using a variety of star names, did little to provide a response.
“For me, this was a different performance because you lose and football is about winning,” Slot said.
Also available: Champions League: Chelsea Beat Benfica On Mourinho’s Return
“We were frequently on the right side of the score last year, even though the margins were very small.”
The margins were extremely low again today, but on the wrong side for the second time in a row.
Galatasaray’s Champions League opener was a 5-1 defeat at Eintracht Frankfurt.
However, the Turkish champions capitalized on Liverpool’s defensive weaknesses to become a much stronger force on their own soil.
Slot’s choice to play Dominik Szoboszlai at right-back was unsuccessful.
When he didn’t succeed in beating Alisson in a one-on-one fight with the Brazilian, Baris Alper Yilmaz warned the visitors of the danger down Galatasaray’s left.
Alisson injured
Liverpool should have already taken the lead before they lost.
Ugurcan Cakir denied Hugo Ekitike’s rounding of the goalkeeper, and Ismail Jakobs blocked Cody Gakpo’s follow-up effort off the line.
After Galatasaray quickly broke upfield, Yilmaz was given a soft penalty for a stumbling Szoboszlai arm into the Turkish international.
Alisson had previously saved a Champions League penalty, but this time Alisson converted the spot kick.
After Cakir put a header past Florian Wirtz, who has struggled to deliver on his £100 million price tag, and Ibrahima Konate’s cross was just off the mark just before half-time, Ibrahima Konate headed home from the corner.
The Reds’ defensive woes began at the start of the season, and Konate nearly nearly scored his side a second goal early in the second half due to his poor form.
Alisson saved his teammate’s blushes with another save from Osimhen, but at a cost because the Liverpool number one injured while running off his line and was forced to take Giorgi Mamardashvili’s place.
Salah and Isak were introduced by Slot at the hour’s mark, but Liverpool remained a potent attacking force.
Clement Turpin, a French referee, initially criticized Konate for a foul, but overturned his decision following a VAR review.
Galatasaray were inches away from the game’s second goal when Lucas Torreira headed a wide shot in stoppage time.
