Joe Gomez makes honest admission about Liverpool players under pressure

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Liverpool was beaten by Galatasaray in the first leg of the Champions League last 16 earlier this week, and Joe Gomez admitted that the Reds' players were affected by the atmosphere in Istanbul

Joe Gomez admitted that Liverpool struggled with the pressure away to Galatasaray(Image: 2026 Anadolu)

Joe Gomez admitted that Liverpool's players were affected by the hostile atmosphere that greeted them in Istanbul earlier this week.

Turkish fans are renowned for creating a vociferous atmosphere, particularly on big European nights, and Liverpool went down to a 1-0 defeat by Galatasaray for a second time this season.

Mario Lemina scored the only goal of an incident-filled game, which also saw both teams have goals disallowed during the second half.

Liverpool is still the favorite to progress to the next round, but the Reds will have to produce a much-improved performance to do so — as they usually do in front of their home fans.

As for the first leg, though, Gomez accepted that it was a difficult evening for him and his teammates.

"It was a tough night," said the defender. "We started positively and created a couple of good chances early on but didn't take them and then suffered the blow of conceding from a set-piece.

"That gave them even more energy and fired up the atmosphere even more. We never really got it flowing again after that. But we have to take the positives. We still created a fair bit and I think it will be a different game at Anfield. It's only half-time in the tie.

"I don't think any of us would deny that it (the atmosphere) has an effect. It's hard. You can't hear each other, you can't hear the gaffer. It has an effect when it comes to being calm on the ball.

"They made it difficult for us but our fans can make it difficult for them too. We know what it's like to have that on your side and we'll have that next week."

Mario Lemina's header was the difference in the first leg(Image: Photo by BSR Agency/Getty Images)

After an injury-hit spell in recent times, Gomez has figured in the last seven games in a row for Liverpool, including playing 90 minutes in the loss to Galatasaray.

Ahead of this summer's World Cup, Gomez was asked for his thoughts about his prospects of making it to America as part of Thomas Tuchel's 26-man squad.

Gomez has never played a game at a major international tournament, having never gone to a World Cup and having been an unused substitute throughout Euro 2024.

Gomez, though, made it clear that it is club over country for him at the moment as he looks to finish the season strongly with Liverpool.

"I haven't spoken to him (Tuchel)," Gomez said. "I am fully focused on Liverpool. This is everything for me.

"I know that performing here is the most important thing. What comes with that is just a bonus. I'm not worried about that to be honest."