Liverpool 4-0 (4-1 aggregate) Galatasaray: Arne Slott’s side managed to keep their season alive with a come-from-behind victory in the Champions League against the Turkish visitors.
Both Salah and Szoboszlai attracted attention at Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool once again made a comeback in the Champions League, eventually clinching a place in the last eight by easily defeating Galatasaray at Anfield.
Dominik Szoboszlai equalized for the Reds with a great finish midway through the first half. Liverpool had a great chance to double their lead that night just before half-time, but Mo Salah saved the penalty.
The Egyptians then made up for their mistake with a goal from Hugo Ekitike in the second half. Just a minute later, Ryan Gravenbirch extended Liverpool’s lead further.
Liverpool appeared to have scored their fourth goal, but VAR saved Wilfid Singo’s unfortunate own goal. Liverpool were offered a fourth goal, with Salah scoring a shock goal to cap off an impressive night. Here are the key talking points at Anfield:
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Shoboshrai again
There aren’t many Liverpool players who can honestly put their hands up and admit that this is their best performance of the season. But Hungarian midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai can do it.
And he pulled off his old trick against Galatasaray. From a corner kick, the ball was rolled to Szoboszlai on the edge of the area and he fired a powerful drive into the bottom corner of the goal.
This was his 12th goal in what turned out to be a great season. The midfielder should have won Liverpool’s Player of the Year award, even if he hasn’t already.
Dominik Szoboszlai continues to shine at Liverpool (Image: Getty Images)
Salah scores 50 points
After contributing to Liverpool’s first goal, Szoboszlai looked set to contribute to the second. Retrieving the ball inside the penalty area, he was tripped up by a mistimed challenge from Ismail Jacobs.
Egyptian forward Mo Salah came forward and fired a weak shot into the middle, but Urjan Chakur, who had impressed all night, saved with his feet.
Fortunately for Salah, he then had another chance to score his 50th goal in the Champions League. He picked up the ball on the right side, cut inside and fired his trademark strike into the far corner.
Osimhen was separated.
Victor Osimhen has been Galatasaray’s main threat this season, so Liverpool may have been relieved to see him sent off at half-time.
The Nigeria frontman struggled throughout the first half after sustaining a painful arm injury in a collision with Shobosulai.
Osimhen was furious with the Hungarian after treatment and it was probably the right decision to take him off after he was on the fringes for the first 45 minutes.
Osimhen injures arm in nasty collision (Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool’s quick attack
While the blonde-haired forward had a very difficult night on Merseyside, the same cannot be said for Ekitike. The former Eintracht Frankfurt forward was just centimeters from Salah’s cross, giving Liverpool the lead for the first time in the tie.
Just as Liverpool fans took their seats, they stood up again. Florian Wirtz saved the shot, but the shot fell to Grabenberch, who bounced it into the net.
Liverpool’s relentless pressure then looked to be paying off again as Wilfried Singo found his own net, but a VAR decision spared them a blush.
I’m waiting for PSG
What did Liverpool receive in what was perhaps their best performance of the season? It’s a small fact that they will face current European champions Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals.
It’s just as difficult for the Reds. However, given the Premier League’s problems, it would not be surprising to see Arne Slott put all of Liverpool’s efforts this season into the Champions League.
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