Liverpool quartet questioned over 'awful' Galatasaray goal in Champions League

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Mario Lemina opened the scoring at RAMS Park via a corner and managed to capitalize on some scruffy Liverpool defending. Indeed, several players earned criticism from the half-time TNT Sporst pundits

ISTANBUL, TURKIYE - MARCH 10: Galatasaray players celebrate after scoring during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Galatasaray and Liverpool at RAMS Park in Istanbul, Turkiye, on March 10, 2026. (Photo by Cem Tekkesinoglu/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Four Liverpool players earned criticism from pundits following Galatasaray’s goal in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 tie.

The Reds started the game excellently and should have taken the lead in the early stages via a fantastic Florian Wirtz chance that flashed wide of the goal. To compound matters, Galatasaray then netted the opening goal in the seventh minute, when Mario Lemina nodded past Giorgi Mamardashvili.

The former Southampton man reacted quickest after Victor Osimhen won the first header from a corner. Neither he nor Lemina was marked tightly, and Liverpool looked shaky when dealing with crosses all night in Istanbul.

At half-time, pundits Joe Hart and Steve McManaman were highly critical of the Reds defensive set-up to that corner.

“Liverpool have looked shaky,” said Hart. “[Alexis] Mac Allister ends up marking Osimhen.

“I don't know what has gone on there. Lemina ghosts off the back of [Dominik] Szoboszlai and [Virgil] van Dijk and he cant believe his luck.”

Liverpool was weak defensively in Istanbul

McManaman added: “In the air, defensively, Liverpool have been really vulnerable. It is an awful goal to concede.

“Osimhen is the most dangerous player on the pitch in a Galatasaray shirt. [Ibrahima] Konate isn't picking anyone up and other players have fallen asleep.

“Galatasaray have looked like they could score anytime the ball goes into the air.”

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

That was one of nine shots Liverpool conceded in a disjointed first half that was too open and lacked control from Arne Slot’s side.

Having started the game sloppily, the hosts improved as the game continued. It could have been different story, however, had Wirtz converted at least one of his early chances, and McManaman was critical of his scruffy finish.

“Liverpool started really well and exploited Galatasaray playing out from the back,” said McManaman.

“It is a great chance for [Florian] Wirtz. I can't quite explain how good of a chance. And the finish is just really weak. He doesn't threaten the goal, it is yards wide. He has another chance soon after that and he fires it into the ground with no passion to thrash at the goal to hit the target. Liverpool has been.”