Galatasaray reportedly targeted two Liverpool players in their Champions League clash after studying the Premier League champions – and their hard work paid off.
Arne Slot’s side were no match for Galatasaray in Istanbul on Tuesday evening, with Victor Osimhen’s first-half penalty proving decisive.
As expected, there was a raucous atmosphere inside Rams Park as the home side put in a gallant effort.
Meanwhile, Liverpool failed to make their dominance of the ball pay despite having the likes of Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike on the pitch from the off before Alexander Isak and Mohamed Salah were introduced by Slot during the second half.
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The loss was Liverpool’s second within less than a week, with the Reds having been defeated against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend.
High-profile Gala stars Leroy Sane and Mauro Icardi started on the bench, with head coach Okan Buruk opting for Osimhen up front, while Baris Alper Yilmaz started on the left flank.
And Buruk’s decision to start Yilmaz paid off on 14 minutes when he won the decisive penalty as he was fouled by make-shift right-back Dominik Szoboszlai.
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According to Turkish journalist Yakup Cinar, Okan planned for his side to target two Liverpool players ahead of the game with right centre-back Ibrahima Konate and right-back Szoboszlai part of the discussions ahead of the match.
“Coach Okan and his team identified Liverpool’s weakest link as their right-back and right-centre-back,” Cinar wrote on X.
“Specific analysis and preparations were made for this area. As expected, the penalty came from this side.
“Coach Okan’s analysis and scouting team studied Liverpool’s last three matches on-site, doing their homework thoroughly. İlkay’s [Gundogan] insights were also taken into account.”
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Szoboszlai was out of position, so his sub-par showing could be considered as understandable, although Konate’s lacklustre performance is the latest in a string of disappointing appearances, with the player’s situation not helped by strong links with a move to Real Madrid next summer.
Konate is contracted to Liverpool until June 2026 and will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs in January.
Earlier this season, ex-Reds centre-back Jamie Carragher described Konate as being “all over the place” following Liverpool’s Premier League opener against Bournemouth.
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Last night, while speaking on CBS Sports, Carragher doubled down on his stance, saying the side has “lost a lot defensively” this season despite Slot’s team still being top of the Premier League after six games.
Liverpool return to Premier League action against Chelsea on Saturday.
Topics: Liverpool, Galatasaray, Champions League, Football, Ibrahima Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai, Arne Slot
Luke Davies