Liverpool have now suffered consecutive defeats for only the second time under manager Arne Slot.
While Liverpool’s squad endured disruptive fireworks outside their Istanbul hotel, it is the team’s second successive loss that should serve as a more significant wake-up call.
Despite maintaining their position at the top of the Premier League table, the reigning champions need not panic. However, the vulnerabilities that have plagued their early campaign were once again evident in their 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the Champions League.
Following a seemingly smooth transition after succeeding Jurgen Klopp, head coach Arne Slot, after his impressive title win in his first term, is now encountering his initial challenges.
Considering their near £450m expenditure during the summer, current form suggests that this season may prove to be a transitional one for Slot, rather than a seamless continuation of Klopp’s legacy without major acquisitions, as seen after his arrival from Feyenoord.
Alexander Isak, who made a substitute appearance in Turkey, is still regaining full match fitness following his high-profile £125m move from Newcastle United.
Similarly, Florian Wirtz, acquired for £116m from Bayer Leverkusen, appears somewhat out of sync as he adapts to the pace of Liverpool’s play.
However, Slot himself did not have a successful night.
The Dutchman’s decision-making faltered in Istanbul, particularly his choice to leave Mohamed Salah on the bench, which ultimately backfired. By the time the Egyptian entered the game after the hour mark, Galatasaray had taken the lead, and Liverpool struggled to generate scoring opportunities.
The last instance of Salah being benched for a Champions League match was against Rangers in October 2022. Slot may be hesitant to repeat that decision anytime soon.
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As seen in their defeat to Crystal Palace, Liverpool were once again exposed by a Galatasaray side that had clearly prepared well under coach Okan Buruk.
Warning signs emerged early when Baris Alper Yilmaz exploited Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities, forcing goalkeeper Alisson to make a crucial save.
Slot’s tactical choices, such as deploying new right-back Jeremie Frimpong as a right-sided attacker and shifting midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to defense, raised questions about his confidence in the team’s defensive capabilities.
It was Szoboszlai who conceded the pivotal 16th-minute penalty after fouling Yilmaz, which Victor Osimhen converted amidst fervent celebrations.
As former Scotland winger Pat Nevin noted on BBC Radio 5 Live, “It is so un-Liverpool.”
Following the loss at Selhurst Park, the trip to Istanbul was far from ideal, given the hostile atmosphere that is a ready-made stage for sporting drama.
Galatasaray’s supporters congregated in the thousands in the bars and cafes near the stadium hours before kick-off.
The cacophony inside began hours before the start, with every Liverpool touch met by deafening whistles.
Adding to Liverpool’s woes, goalkeeper Alisson was forced off with an injury in the 56th minute after another save from Osimhen, while in-form striker Hugo Ekitike also limped off later in the match.
Florian Wirtz cut a frustrated figure in Istanbul
One of the primary concerns for Liverpool this season is the limited impact of Wirtz.
Despite his evident talent and pedigree, which attracted interest from Manchester City, Wirtz has yet to find his footing at Liverpool.
He was the Bundesliga’s golden boy under Xabi Alonso at Bayer Leverkusen.
Wirtz is playing in a withdrawn role behind Liverpool’s striker – Ekitike in Istanbul – but apart from one shot in the first half that forced a save from Galatasaray keeper Ugurcan Cakir, he was once more peripheral. It left him still seeking his first Liverpool goal.
While adaptation takes time, Liverpool will be eager to see their £116m investment deliver sooner rather than later.
“You’re thinking to yourself ‘what is the plan? What is the plan to change it massively?” said Nevin, speaking about Wirtz’s role.
“Because you didn’t need to change much, because it was pretty good before.”
This brings us back to Slot’s transition, from a Liverpool team virtually unchanged when he was appointed and which then won the Premier League with ease, to one now integrating numerous new players.
The introduction of Wirtz appears to have made Liverpool more vulnerable, although this is not solely the German’s responsibility. The team does not appear as secure as it did last season, and team shape seems to have been affected.
Florian Wirtz’s touch map against Galatasaray illustrates how he popped up just about everywhere for Liverpool in attack – but with little end product
“I don’t see where Wirtz gets into the team,” ex-England captain Wayne Rooney said on The Wayne Rooney Show. “I think it was a lot of money. I think Wirtz actually damages the balance of Liverpool and how they play.
“He’s a top player and I’m sure he will get better – but he’s had a slow start and I think there’s no denying that.”
Wirtz’s current struggles are not due to a lack of effort. He attempted more dribbles or shots on goal than anyone else for Liverpool in Istanbul. He will hope his hard work is rewarded soon.
Liverpool’s statistics support the idea that they are now easier to penetrate, requiring late goals against Bournemouth, Newcastle, Arsenal, Burnley, Atletico Madrid in the Champions League, and Southampton in the Carabao Cup. They also relinquished two-goal leads against Bournemouth, Newcastle, and Atletico.
Furthermore, comparing the start of this season to last season, they have only secured two clean sheets in 10 games, compared to six in their first 10 last season.
“Right now they’re not there yet,” said ex-Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge on Amazon Prime. “When you look at the way they’re playing right now they’re not the same team as last year. You can see the chemistry is not right at this present moment in this time – but they have plenty of time to get it right. It’s not panic stations.”
Slot offered a measured perspective, stating, “We are not so far off the level shown last season. This is sometimes what the schedule can bring, Galatasaray is not a simple game. We now play Chelsea away, a difficult game.
“The margins are small and they were last season. For the second time in a row we are on the wrong side.
“I saw a lot of things in the first half, but the second half was much less. I don’t think in the second half there was a lot of playing time, their striker was on the floor four or five times. It was difficult to get momentum in the game.”
Nevertheless, the sense of calm control that defined Liverpool’s title win has been lost and was conspicuously absent in the intense atmosphere of Istanbul.
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