Familiar tale for Slot after Lemina gives Galatasaray edge over Liverpool

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The good news for Liverpool is that the situation is salvageable, when it really might not have been. Their only regret will be that, having taken an early lead through the former Wolves midfielder Mario Lemina, they did not add a second goal to give them more to defend at Anfield.Arne Slot had acknowledged that his side struggle to create chances from open play, but this really was an indictment of long-throw Britain, set-plays seeming their only route to goal – although it should be a matter of concern to all English sides just how often the Spanish referee saw an offence amid what Premier League viewers have come to regard as the routine buffeting of a crowded six-yard box.And it will be a different game at Anfield.

But as Slot has complained repeatedly this season, Liverpool have a habit of conceding to the first meaningful attack their opponents have, and so it was again.In September, it was with pace on the break that Galatasaray troubled Liverpool; this time it was the old vulnerability to set plays that undid them. Liverpool had a little more of the ball early in the second half, and might have equalised when a corner fell for Mac Allister 12 yards out.

When Mohamed Salah, having barely been involved, was taken off before the hour, it was indicative of just how little danger Liverpool had posed.It could have been far worse for Liverpool. But what VAR giveth, it taketh away and Liverpool soon had a goal of their own ruled out, the ball striking the arms of both Konaté and Virgil van Dijk as it was bundled over the line from a Dominik Szoboszlai corner.There were chances for Liverpool in the final quarter, but this was Galatasaray’s night.