Liverpool left to rue 'similarities' after second Champions League loss to Galatasaray in months

The Turkish side claimed a 1-0 victory over the visiting Reds in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 on Tuesday, repeating the scoreline from when these teams met on the second matchday of the league phase back in September. 

And it wasn't just the score that was familiar, with Liverpool boss Arne Slot left to point out the parallels between the two games after the final whistle of Tuesday's contest.

"There were a lot of similarities between [five] months ago and now," Slot told UEFA.

"We had multiple chances to score. After 10-15 minutes you expect us to lead and then their first attack leads to a set-piece goal. Last time it was a penalty. And another disallowed goal from us, so a lot of similarities."

As the Liverpool manager noted, the Premier League side had several chances to find an equaliser after going down a goal inside the first 10 minutes, but could not find a breakthrough despite taking 15 shots.

The lack of sharpness in front of the net was frustrating for the visitors, especially given the conditions at a raucous Rams Park in Istanbul, said midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.

"I think we make it difficult on ourselves," he said. "From the first minute, we didn't play a good game. I think we could score, in the first 10 minutes I think we had four chances and we didn't make it.

"Then if they score one with this defence and this atmosphere, it will be difficult. It was a poor game but next week we have Anfield so we need to be spot on then."

Both Slot and Gravenberch called on Liverpool's fans to create a hostile environment for Galatasaray when the teams reconvene at Anfield next week, with both men stressing that the Reds will need to improve if they are to reverse the deficit in the second leg.

"You play two games against each other and now it's half-time, they're 1-0 up," Slot said. "We can do better, I'm 100% sure about that. But even with the game we've just played, we had enough chances to score goals.

"We didn't but next week we play at Anfield and our fans will be so supportive for us. I think that was today the situation for Galatasaray. They had great support from their fans, it was difficult for us to play in."

Gravenberch agreed, adding: "At Anfield, with our fans, under the lights, we need to show them that we can do it because today it was not enough."

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