Arne Slott says Liverpool must learn to take chances if they want to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after losing 1-0 to Galatasaray in the first leg of their last-16 tie.
Liverpool head coach Arne Slott speaks at the post-match press conference of the Champions League Round of 16 first leg in Galatasaray (Image: Cem Tekkesinoglu/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Manager Arne Slott took responsibility for Liverpool’s recent defeat but said his players must also learn to take chances if they want to continue their Champions League journey.
On Tuesday night, the Reds suffered a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray in the first leg of their last-16 clash at Rams Park for the second time this season after Mario Lemina headed in the only goal of the game seven minutes into the game.
Florian Wirtz squandered some great chances early on, Alexis Mac Allister and Hugo Ekitike squandered good chances in the second half, while Ibrahima Konate had an unfair equalizer canceled out for handball.
Slott said: “The start of the game was really good, even better than three months ago. There were three or four great moments. The biggest moment was when Florian almost scored the first goal but couldn’t finish the ball.”
“We didn’t score and, like last time, their first attack led to a corner kick. When they got their chance, they should be praised for playing as if it was their last chance.”
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Tuesday was the 12th time this season that Slott’s team conceded a goal and lost a game, and the manager admitted it was up to him to improve on that situation.
“It’s definitely something we can learn from. Sometimes when we get a chance it looks like we think we can get 10 more points. It’s difficult on its own, but it’s even more difficult when you’re losing 1-0,” reports the Liverpool Echo.
“I won’t say it’s frustrating, but this is the situation we’re in and I’m responsible for that and we’ve been in that situation for most of the season. We produced enough to score a goal. We scored one but it was overturned by VAR.”
Mario Lemina scores the winning goal for Galatasaray (Image: Elif Ozturk/Anadolu via Getty Images)
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The Liverpool head coach added: “I don’t think they had many chances in the second half. They have good players and good teams always create chances. They scored five goals against Juventus, so you can see what they are capable of.”
“We had very good chances one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but unfortunately we couldn’t score. We have to evaluate how they defended. They kept fighting and getting in front of the ball.”
“All I know is that it’s half-time now. We’ve lost 1-0 here twice, but the good thing is that the next game won’t be played here, it’ll be at Anfield and our fans will be able to create a similar atmosphere.
Liverpool thought they had equalized after a bad corner kick against Galatasaray, only for the goal to be canceled out by VAR (Image: (Photo by George Tewkesbury/Shutterstock))
“With the last two games left (against Galatasaray), I don’t think so many things can go against us. It will be more normal in home games. And I also think we can improve our performance and with the help of the fans, that should lead to a good game next week.”
Galatasaray will have no fans at Anfield for next Wednesday’s second leg, following a UEFA ruling against the behavior of many supporters who attended their match against Juventus last week.
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