Liverpool suffered their first defeat of the 2025-26 UEFA Champions League season on Tuesday, falling 1-0 to Galatasaray in a match the place the Reds struggled to create clear possibilities. Earlier than the loss, head coach Arne Slot defined his choice to depart star ahead Mohamed Salah out of the beginning XI.
For Matchday 2 of the UCL, Galatasaray hosted Liverpool in Istanbul, and the pre-match lineups introduced one of many largest surprises of the night time: Salah on the bench. Slot as a substitute deployed Jeremie Frimpong on the correct wing and dropped Dominik Szoboszlai right into a right-back position, a transfer that shocked followers and media alike.
Requested concerning the choice earlier than kickoff, Slot informed Prime Sport: “Jeremie (Frimpong) isn’t enjoying with no consideration full-back, he’s enjoying on the correct wing. We have now many video games to play within the coming days, we’ve a giant sport arising, and we’ve to make the most of our squad. Using doesn’t at all times imply from the beginning — gamers may affect video games coming off the bench. In a lot of our matches, that has been the case.”
The Dutchman additionally clarified that rotation was pushed by necessity as a lot as by alternative. “Due to luxurious, sure, but in addition due to circumstance,” Slot mentioned. “Alexander Isak didn’t prepare in preseason, Macca missed preseason, and Conor Bradley missed numerous preseason as nicely. We have now to rotate.”
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool battles for possession with Davinson Sanchez of Galatasaray A.S. in the course of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League match between Galatasaray A.S. and Liverpool FC.
Liverpool managed possession however did not generate many possibilities, forcing Slot right into a triple substitution within the 62nd minute. Salah changed Cody Gakpo, however with Galatasaray sitting deep to guard their lead, the Egyptian was unable to show the tide.
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Salah had solely been rested as soon as this season, within the EFL Cup win over Southampton, and has in any other case began and completed each match. That made his spot on the bench in such an necessary Champions League fixture much more eye-catching.
What’s subsequent for Liverpool?
Tuesday’s loss got here on the heels of a Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace, marking back-to-back setbacks after an ideal seven-game begin to the season following the Group Defend. The timing is troublesome for Slot’s facet, with a difficult run of fixtures forward.
Liverpool now journey to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea on Saturday earlier than the October worldwide break. When membership motion resumes, they’ll host Manchester United on October 19 after which return to Champions League play three days later in opposition to Eintracht Frankfurt.
