Arne Slot accepts Liverpool change needed after Galatasaray loss

CommentsSportPaul Gorst Liverpool FC correspondent01:00, 11 Mar 2026Arne Slot says Liverpool must learn to take their chances if they want to progress to the Champions League quarter-finals.

The Reds lost 1-0 at Galatasaray on Tuesday night for the second time this season after Mario Lemina headed in the only goal of the game after seven minutes in the first leg of their last-16 time at Rams Park.

Florian Wirtz missed a couple of good openings early on, Alexis Mac Allister and Hugo Ekitike spurned presentable chances in the second period, while Ibrahima Konate had a scruffy equaliser ruled out for what was deemed to be handball.

And Slot said: "We started the game really well, even better than three months ago. We had three or four great moments, the biggest moment when Florian came across almost an open goal but he couldn’t finish that ball.

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“We weren’t able to score and like last time, with their first attack it led to a corner and you have to give credit to the way when they get a chance they play it like it’s the last chance of their lives.

“It’s definitely something we can learn from. We sometimes get our chances and it comes across like we think we’ll get 10 more. It’s already a difficult place to come to, but when you’re 1-0 down it makes it even harder.

“I wouldn’t say it’s a frustration but it’s a situation we are facing and I’m responsible for it, and we’ve been facing it for much of the season.

“We created enough to score a goal. We scored one and it was overturned by the VAR."

The Liverpool head coach added: “I don’t think they had a lot of chances in the second half. They have good players and good teams will always create chances. They scored five goals against Juventus so that tells you what they are capable of.

"We have had very good chances, one on ones against the goalkeeper and unfortunately we couldn’t score. I have to give to how they defended. They keep on fighting and put themselves in front of the ball.

“What I do know is now it’s half-time. We have lost here twice 1-0 and the good thing is the next game isn’t played here, it’s played at Anfield and our fans can create a similar atmosphere.

"I don’t think it’s possible so many things can go against us as they have the last two games (against Galatasaray). Things will be more normal in the home game.

"And I also think we can improve over performance and that with the help of our fans has to lead to a good game next week."

Galatasaray will have no fans inside Anfield at next Wednesday's second leg following a UEFA ruling over conduct from many supporters who made the trip to Juventus in the previous round.