Liverpool came from behind in the tie to dismantle Galatasaray 4-0 at Anfield and set up a Champions League quarter-final with holders Paris Saint-Germain.
The pressure was on Arne Slot after a one-goal defeat in Istanbul, but Dominik Szoboszlai set the tone with the opener as Liverpool played with the tempo supporters have craved. Mohamed Salah had a penalty saved in first-half stoppage time but recovered after the interval, helping to take the tie from Galatasaray. He was involved in goals for Hugo Ekitike and Ryan Gravenberch before scoring a fine fourth himself.
There were too many chances to list in a one-sided contest in which Victor Osimhen left injured at the interval. Alexis Mac Allister hit the crossbar; Salah did too. Anfield relished the return of European knockout football in a stuttering season.
PSG will be a different class of opponent in the next round, having knocked Liverpool out last term, but Slot’s side will take belief from this display.
Player ratings
Liverpool: Alisson (6), Frimpong (7), Konate (7), Van Dijk (7), Kerkez (8), Szoboszlai (8), Mac Allister (7), Gravenberch (8), Salah (8), Ekitike (7), Wirtz (7).
Subs: Jones (6), Gakpo (6), Chiesa (n/a), Nyoni (n/a), Ngumoha (n/a).
Galatasaray: Ugurcan (7), Boey (6), Singo (6), Bardakci (6), Jakobs (5), Torreira (5), Lemina (5), Yilmaz (6), Sara (6), Sallai (6), Osimhen (3).
Subs: Sane (6), Lang (6), Agkun (6), Elmaci (6), Icardi (n/a).
Player of the Match: Mohamed Salah.
‘Salah legend’ and 50th Champions League goal
Salah’s strength of character to shrug off his missed penalty and deliver the decisive moments will be remembered. He scored his 50th Champions League goal — the first African player to reach that mark. Hugo Ekitike praised him: “I am so happy for him. He’s a legend. Sometimes people say he’s had a difficult season but… he still had the mindset to give me a brilliant ball to score.”
Szoboszlai: revenge mission
Dominik Szoboszlai said on TNT Sports that Liverpool were on Galatasaray from the first minute. He admitted feeling motivated after the Istanbul defeat and insisted he and team-mates took it personally, vowing never to celebrate too early.
Analysis: Liverpool upped the tempo
Jamie Carragher noted the rarity of a near-perfect Liverpool performance this season; this display felt different. Liverpool attacked from the start, buoyed by a home crowd that did not include banned visiting fans. Slot urged his team to go “the extra mile” in programme notes, and they delivered a dominant performance that left Galatasaray keeper Ugurcan Cakir one of his side’s standouts despite conceding four.
Arne Slot: pleased with the performance
Slot told TNT Sports he liked “almost every single minute,” praising the pressing, the fans’ reaction and the team’s constant chance creation. He noted Liverpool had underperformed against their xG even after scoring four and highlighted the team’s consistency throughout the match.
Team news
– Slot made four changes from the Tottenham game: Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, Ibrahima Konate and Milos Kerkez returned.
– Galatasaray brought in right-back Sacha Boey and Roland Sallai. Davinson Sanchez missed out through suspension.
Story in stats
Liverpool created numerous chances and dominated both phases of play, maintaining intensity and limiting Galatasaray’s opportunities.
Champions League draw (last-16 winners)
Paris Saint-Germain vs Liverpool
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
Sporting vs Arsenal
Quarter-finals: April 7-8 and 14-15
Semi-finals: April 28-29 and May 5-6
Final: May 30 (Puskas Arena, Budapest, Hungary)