´It´s bad deja vu´ – Slot rues Liverpool´s missed chances against Galatasaray

Arne Slot said Liverpool’s 1-0 loss to Galatasaray was like “deja vu” as he rued their missed chances in the Champions League round of 16 first leg.

Mario Lemina’s seventh-minute header was the difference at RAMS Park as Liverpool succumbed to their second defeat to Galatasaray in the competition this season.

Victor Osimhen – the match-winner last time the teams met – and Ibrahima Konate also had a goal apiece disallowed in an end-to-end encounter.

This is the first time Liverpool have lost twice away from home to the same side in the same season in major European competition.

Both sides had 15 shots in total, with Liverpool having more on target (six to four), while Galatasaray edged the expected goals (1.5 xG to 1.3).

And Slot was left frustrated by Liverpool’s lack of a cutting edge as they will return to Anfield with a one-goal deficit to overturn next week.

“It’s bad deja vu, you could say,” said Slot following the defeat.

“The score is the same as the match three months ago. But we played a game where we could have scored much more.

“We created many chances; we missed many. We were really good in the first 15 minutes. But we couldn’t find the goal.”

Slot took charge of his 100th game for Liverpool in all competitions, becoming the 18th different manager to do so, recording the joint-most wins of any of them (W62 D16 L22).

Indeed, he is the first to lose his 100th game in charge since Graeme Souness, overseeing a 1-5 loss to Coventry City in December 1992.

However, Liverpool have struggled of late, with this their second defeat in three games in all competitions.

“This is a very difficult stadium. Both for opposing players and opposing coaches. It’s hard to concentrate, and it’s hard to communicate. Galatasaray are very lucky to have such an atmosphere,” Slot added.

“Now we have a match against Galatasaray at our home stadium. We have fantastic fans who always give us strength.

“They will show this at Anfield, our home ground, and will be a driving force for us.”