Liverpool overturn the deficit in first leg against Galatasaray (Image: Getty)
Liverpool, led by Arne Slott, turned up the heat in the second leg of their last-16 tie against Galatasaray, overcoming their deficit in the first leg and clinching a place in the quarter-finals. The Reds will face a difficult test against reigning champions Paris Saint-Germain in the last eight, but it was a night where Liverpool showed plenty of determination and courage.
As is typical of Anfield nights under the lights, Liverpool burst out of the blocks but were unable to find an early breakthrough. It finally arrived through a familiar face as Dominik Szoboszlai brought home a cultured finish to continue his prolific goalscoring form.
Liverpool took the lead just before the break when Mohamed Salah missed the penalty spot, but it was after the restart that the floodgates opened. Hugo Ekitike and Ryan Gravenbirch scored twice in quick succession to put the six-time champions ahead, while Salah made up for his penalty miss with a superb strike in the final hour.
I probably could have just brought a deck chair and put my feet up. There was basically nothing to do and once Viktor Osimhen was sent off injured, the threat for the visitors would have disappeared.
He spent most of the night playing as a winger and was also involved in Liverpool’s attack. It was unfortunate that he was unable to assist for his own goal due to a harsh offside judgment due to the chaotic fighting in the second half. However, it is clear that the players, who struggled at times in the first season, have improved their performance.
There was also a sigh of relief when Osimhen was sent off, given that his task became instantly difficult once Osimhen left the pitch. I managed to make up for it after the horror show in Istanbul last week.
He had an equally comfortable night at the rear and was not threatened during the contest.
I would have liked to have seen a little more from an attacking point of view, especially considering how vulnerable Galatasaray were at the back.
Breaking through the midfield, his efforts were rewarded with a stunning goal, putting the match out of the reach of the Turkish side.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6/10
It’s true that his midfield was stronger than last week, but he still lacked the edge compared to his teammates. Liverpool will need to step up his game if they have any serious hopes of getting a result against PSG.
Mohamed Salah scores his 50th goal in the Champions League (Image: Getty)
Dominik Szoboszlai – 9/10
Where would they have been without their midfield general this season? The Merseysiders have a new talisman, and it’s a Champions League performance befitting the midfielder who wears the number eight shirt. He’s definitely the best player on the pitch and definitely Liverpool’s player this season.
Although not for lack of effort, once again the execution of Germans remained undesirable. There were some efforts that should have been better and his passing was sloppy at times, but his clean flick created a chance for Salah to shoot in the second half.
On any other night, the Frenchman’s performance would have grabbed the headlines. His tenacity at the tip of the attack wreaked havoc on the Galatasaray defense last week, and that carried over into Wednesday night’s performance. It was easy to sign a contract for this season.
It looked like a night to forget after his penalty miss, but like all great players he pulled himself together to score his 50th Champions League goal in style. Picking up the ball before cutting inside in characteristic fashion, the ball was destined for one place once it left the Egyptian’s left boot.
Things also went well when he came off the bench and moved into right-back.
I wanted to be involved in scoring, but I didn’t really care.
