Galatasaray star suspended for Liverpool second leg after late Champions League incident

Davinson Sanchez will miss Galatasaray's trip to Anfield to face Liverpool in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16 tie, a major boost for Arne Slot after a 1-0 loss

Davinson Sanchez was booked for a challenge on Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike(Image: Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

Liverpool was humiliated by Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday, but did receive a late boost after defender Davinson Sanchez received a costly yellow card.

In a repeat of the group phase fixture earlier this season, Galatasaray beat Liverpool 1-0 at home in the Champions League. The Turkish giants will take the narrow advantage to Anfield for the second leg on March 18, and will be full of confidence after a dominant victory.

It was initially a historic occasion for Liverpool, as Mohamed Salah became its most capped player in the top European competition after starting in Istanbul. However, Liverpool were second-best all night, but Sanchez will miss the second leg.

Sanchez, who previously played for Tottenham before joining Galatasaray, was shown a late yellow card for a challenge on Liverpool striker Hugo Ekitike. He was one of the Galatasaray players at risk of being suspended, and will now serve a one-match ban.

Should Liverpool fight back at Anfield, it will be Sanchez's final Champions League appearance this season. However, the Turkish club has now beaten Liverpool twice this season, and has a small lead to defend at Anfield.

Galatasaray may have won 1-0, but it could have been much worse for Liverpool on the night. Ibrahima Konate had a game to forget, shaky in defense throughout the 90 minutes.

Galatasaray dominated Liverpool for parts of the first leg

It was also a difficult atmosphere for Liverpool to handle, something that Galatasaray is known for. Ekitike had Liverpool's best chance in the second half, after Florian Wirtz missed two opportunities toward the start of the game.

Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock credited Galatasaray's educated performance. "Galatasaray are street-wise. They made things so uncomfortable for Liverpool tonight," he said to BBC Radio 5 Live.

"You never know who is going to turn up for Liverpool on the night, but Arne Slot will be disappointed."

Florian Wirtz missed two big opportunities for Liverpool against Galatasaray(Image: (Photo by Burak Kara - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images))

Liverpool had more shots than Galatasaray and also had a goal ruled out. The ball was bundled into the Galatasaray net after Konate attempted a header from a corner, though it may have gone in off defensive partner Virgil van Dijk.

However, Konate handled the ball before it crossed the line, and the goal was overturned. Konate was also at the center of another incident, as VAR saved him from a calamitous defensive error, which led to a goal.

The pressure is on for Liverpool to turn things around, as an early Champions League exit to Galatasaray would sum up a disastrous season. The Premier League champions are facing an uphill battle to finish inside the top four and qualify for the competition next year.

Liverpool also suffered elimination from the EFL Cup, and has drawn Manchester City in the FA Cup quarterfinals. Though retaining the Premier League title is no longer an option, Liverpool could still save its season with silverware.