Liverpool gets instant VAR verdict after Champions League goal controversy against Galatasaray
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Liverpool IconLiverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCLiverpool thought that it had gotten level against Galatasaray in the Champions League only for a VAR check to rule that Ibrahima Konate had handled the ball before it went inLiverpool head coach Arne Slot speaks to the officials following his team's defeat to Galatasaray.(Image: Liverpool FC via Getty Images)Liverpool and Galatasaray each had a goal ruled out in the second half of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first-leg clash at Rams Park in Istanbul.VAR stepped in to rescue Ibrahima Konate 62 minutes into the contest, after Victor Osimhen hammered the ball into the net following a catastrophic error from the defender.Already behind 1-0 courtesy of Mario Lemina's seventh-minute opener, Konate miscontrolled the ball while attempting to play it back to Giorgi Mamardashvili near the edge of his own penalty area. Noa Lang pounced on the mistake, racing beyond the last line of defence before chipping it towards Osimhen at the back post.READ MORE: Liverpool player ratings, winners and losers vs Galatasaray as Mohamed Salah and 5 more struggleREAD MORE: Arne Slot change fails to pay off as Liverpool gets reality check - 5 talking points vs GalatasarayWhile Konate succeeded in recovering his position ahead of the Galatasaray striker, he misjudged a goalline clearance before Osimhen tucked it away from point-blank range to apparently double the hosts' advantage to 2-0.Nevertheless, Konate was saved from additional humiliation when the goal was chalked off seconds later.Although Baris Alper Yilmaz was in an offside position when the original ball reached Konate, the winger hadn't played a part in the goal — leaving numerous viewers baffled as to why the strike was canceled.Ibrahima Konatereacts during the Champions League match between Galatasaray and Liverpool at Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleksi on March 10, 2026 in Istanbul, Turkey(Image: Liverpool FC/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)TNT Sports co-commentator Steve Sidwell, conversely, argued that Yilmaz disrupted Andy Robertson's efforts to regain possession, which explained why the goal was disallowed.And moments afterwards, Liverpool found themselves on the receiving end of a contentious ruling, after apparently drawing level from a scrambled corner.Dominik Szoboszlai delivered the ball into the six-yard area with velocity before Konate seemingly made amends for his earlier error by bundling it into the net with his shoulder.Nevertheless, VAR determined that the ball had struck the arm of Konate, which then deflected off the arm of Virgil van Dijk before crossing the goal line.
The decision was subsequently taken to disallow the goal entirely for handball.Get LFC's 2025/26 season home and away kitsThis article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn moreFrom $100LFC.comSee the dealLiverpool's home and away strips for the 2025/26 season are the first in their new partnership with adidas.Fans can order jerseys in the US at Fanatics.com or via the LFC Online Store in both the US and across the world.Despite their utmost endeavours, Liverpool was ultimately unable to rescue anything from the first leg encounter under the floodlights, and will enter next week's return fixture at Anfield with a one-goal disadvantage to overturn should they hold any hopes of progressing to the next stage of the Champions League.Nevertheless, home advantage will be bolstered further by the fact that Galatasaray supporters will not be allowed to attend the match, due to spectators 'throwing objects, lighting fireworks, and causing crowd disturbances during their 3-2 loss at Juventus last month.The Champions League, along with the FA Cup, now represents Liverpool's last chance to salvage their season after stumbling in the domestic league.
With just nine matches left in the Premier League, the Reds sit in sixth place — a staggering 19 points adrift of table-toppers Arsenal.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCChampions LeagueIbrahima Konaté