Liverpool slipped to their second consecutive defeat as Galatasaray edged a pulsating Champions League clash on a deafening night in Istanbul.
Head coach Arne Slot opted to rest Mohamed Salah, leaving the forward on the bench after Saturday’s Premier League loss at Crystal Palace.
But the decision backfired as the reigning English champions struggled to impose themselves amid a raucous atmosphere at RAMS Park.
Victor Osimhen struck the decisive goal after 16 minutes, calmly converting from the penalty spot when referee Clement Turpin ruled that Dominik Szoboszlai had fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz.
The strike arrived just moments after Galatasaray defender Davinson Sanchez cleared Cody Gakpo’s effort off the line.
Liverpool’s problems deepened in the second half when goalkeeper Alisson was forced off with an injury shortly after making a superb save to deny Osimhen a second.
Slot turned to Salah and Alexander Isak on the hour in search of a response, but Galatasaray’s defence held firm.
The visitors thought they had a lifeline late on when Turpin awarded a penalty for a foul on Ibrahima Konaté, only for the decision to be overturned after a VAR review.
The result leaves Liverpool facing an uphill battle in their Champions League campaign, while Galatasaray celebrated one of their most memorable European nights in recent years.
