Slot's Gamble Fails: Liverpool Lose 1-0 to Galatasaray After Benching Salah and Suffering Alisson Injury

Osimhen’s penalty downs Reds as Salah starts on bench in Istanbul

Slot's Gamble Fails: Liverpool Lose 1-0 to Galatasaray After Benching Salah and Suffering Alisson Injury

Liverpool’s shaky form continued with 1 - 0 defeat to Galatasaray in Tuesday’s Champions League clash at Rams Park.

Early blow in Istanbul

The Premier League champions fell behind in the 16 minute when Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen converted penalty.

The spot kick was awarded after Dominik Szoboszlai caught Baris Alper Yilmaz with stray arm inside the box.

Slot’s gamble and Salah’s late entry

Manager Arne Slot surprised many by starting without Mohamed Salah keeping the Egyptian forward on the bench until the final half hour alongside new signing Alexander Isak.

Despite their introduction, Liverpool failed to create clear chances managing 16 shot but rarely troubling the Turkish champions.

GOAL!

🇳🇬 Victor Osimhen from the penalty spot! @Galatasaray lead against the champions of England 🙌#beINUCL#GalatasarayLiverpool#UCLpic.twitter.com/rnAT1wM40H— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) September 30, 2025

Injury concerns add to woes

To make matters worse, goalkeeper Alisson was forced off injured just before the hour mark handing Giorgi Mamardashvili his Champions League debut.

The Brazilian’s setback compounds worrying week for Liverpool who also lost 2 - 1 to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.

Group standings and next steps

The defeat leaves Liverpool stuck on 3 point after 2 group match, their only win coming in dramatic fashion against Atletico Madrid.

For Galatasaray, it was 1st victory of the campaign following their opening 5 - 1 loss to Eintracht Frankfurt.