Liverpool

Neil Johnston
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool's vulnerability from corners has been a thorny issue all season - and so it proved again in Turkey. Only West Ham (15), Chelsea (12) and Nottingham Forest (12) have let in more among Premier League sides.

The goal that decided the first leg came after Victor Osimhen was allowed to rise unchallenged to meet Sara's corner, and the Nigeria forward headed it straight to Lemina to finish on a bitterly frustrating night for the visitors.

While Istanbul may evoke memories of celebration for Liverpool fans after their extraordinary comeback win over AC Milan in the 2005 final, the Reds have now failed to win in four away games against Galatasaray.

Having lost 1-0 to the Turkish champions in the league phase back in September, this was a test to see if Slot's side had learned lessons.

The answer soon became apparent when they conceded early, while there was huge relief when Osimhen's goal - which would have been his eighth in this season's competition - was ruled out after Ibrahima Konate got his feet in a tangle.

A 2-0 deficit would have left Liverpool facing an enormous task in the return, yet they are still going to have to come from behind to reach the quarter-finals.

Failure to get through - just as they did last season with a last-16 exit against Paris St-Germain - will only increase the pressure on Slot's position.

Arne Slot spoke to Uefa after Liverpool's defeat against Galatasary in the Champions League: "There were a lot of similarities between three months ago and now.

"We had multiple chances to score. After 10-15 minutes you expect us to lead and then their first attack leads to a set-piece goal. Last time it was a penalty. And another disallowed goal from us, so a lot of similarities."

On second leg: "You play two games against each other and now it's half-time, they're 1-0 up. We can do better, I'm 100% sure about that. But even with the game we've just played, we had enough chances to score goals.

"We didn't but next week we play at Anfield and our fans will be so supportive for us. I think that was today the situation for Galatasaray. They had great support from their fans, it was difficult for us to play in.

"Let's hope we can create the same atmosphere next week at Anfield."

Former Reds defender Stephen Warnock spoke to BBC Radio 5 Live: "Galatasaray are street-wise. They made things so uncomfortable for Liverpool tonight.

"You never know who is going to turn up for Liverpool on the night but Slot will be disappointed.

"This was always going to be difficult for Liverpool. I expected them to be more organised and pragmatic but they have not done that at all.

"Galatasaray looked relatively comfortable."

Did you know?

• Arne Slot took charge of his 100th game for Liverpool in all competitions, becoming the 18th different manager to do so, recording the joint-most wins of any of them (W62 D16 L22). Indeed, he's the first to lose his 100th game in charge since Graeme Souness, overseeing a 1-5 loss to Coventry City in December 1992.

• Mohamed Salah made his 81st appearance for Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League against Galatasaray; the most for any player in the club's history.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back on Wednesday for a selection of your replies

Galatasaray manager Okan Buruk has made one change to the XI that lost to Juventus in the second leg of the play-off round earlier this month, with Wilfried Singo replacing Roland Sallai.

Galatasaray XI: Cakir, Singo, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Lemina; Lang, Sara, Yilmaz, Osimhen

Subs: Sen, Guvenc, Sallai, Icardi, Sane, Akgun, Elmali, Gundogan, Kutucu, Asprilla, Ayhan, Boey

Florian Wirtz makes his first start in almost a month as one of five changes from Liverpool's FA Cup win at Wolves on Friday.

The Germany international - who had been sidelined with a back injury - has not started since the Reds' FA Cup fourth round win over Brighton on 14 February.

The former Bayer Leverkusen attacker comes into the XI alongside Giorgi Mamardashvili, Milos Kerkez, Ibrahima Konate and Hugo Ekitike.

They replace Alisson Becker, Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha.

Liverpool XI: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Ekitike

Subs: Woodman, Misciur, Jones, Gakpo, Robertson, Frimpong, Nyoni, Nallo, Morrison, Ngumoha

There are four games in the Champions League on Tuesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Galatasaray v Liverpool (17:45) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

• Atalanta v Bayern Munich

• Atletico Madrid v Tottenham

• Newcastle v Barcelona - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Newcastle v Barcelona" for instance.

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle captain Alan Shearer was talking to BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast about Tuesday's Champions League game between Galatasaray and Liverpool (17:45 GMT).

"I did the game earlier in the season when Liverpool went to Galatasaray and it was a poor performance," he saod.

"It's been an up and down season for Liverpool, you're not quite sure what you're going to get.

"But with the players that they have, you just never know and particularly with that amazing atmosphere at Anfield, which they'll have next week on the back of that.

"They'll be looking to get a good result to take back to Anfield. I think they'll do that.

"I think they would've learned from the earlier game in the season what they did wrong. I don't think they'll make the same mistakes again.

"Liverpool have been very inconsistent, certainly nothing like what they were last season.

"But there's without doubt a good team in there. I think they'll have enough to get through to the quarter-finals over both legs."

Liverpool are giving serious thought to signing 26-year-old Al-Ittihad and France winger Moussa Diaby, with the former Aston Villa man keen to leave the Saudi Pro League club this summer. (Teamtalk), external

Argentina midfielder Alexis Mac Allister, 27, is not planning to hold talks with Liverpool over a new contract this summer but is happy at Anfield despite links with Real Madrid. (Mundo Deportivo - in Spanish), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League game against Galatasaray at RAMS Park (kick-off 17:45).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Slot started with some team news on Alisson and Chiesa: "Federico [Chiesa] felt unwell last night, that's why he wasn't training. Alisson was in the session but he felt something towards the end of the session. People looked at it and he decided and we decided it wasn't good enough to travel. There's definitely a chance for Sunday. It's not a big thing but too much for tomorrow."

• When asked about facing Galatasaray again he said: "We've already lost to Galatasaray so that tells you a lot. Now, the good thing is we have experienced this once already. That helps. For us, it was new. The whistling is so loud when we have the ball. We don't just play the fans, we play 11 good players."

• On Galatasaray's attackers: "[Victor] Osimhen is a great striker, can score in multiple ways but they have a lot. [Baris Alpar] Yilmaz was too fast for us twice in the first half, so a lot of offensive threat and pace. We need to be aware of that and we will be."

• When asked about Liverpool's right-back conundrum he said: "Have you been a manager? No. I have had five or six different players there this season. Szoboszlai is one of them. We have choices to make and that has not been happening a lot."

• Adding: "If I play Dominik at right back it is because he is the best player for the position, not because we don't have the options there. The more players available the better because sometimes they get tired later in the season."

• On his gameplan for Tuesday's game: "We have had the most possession in the Premier League, we usually don't concede many chances, let alone counters. You need to be well organised. Galatasaray has a lot of weapons, transition is one of them."

• He is "really proud" of managing his 100th game at Liverpool: "It makes me really proud that I have become a Liverpool manager and it is my 100th game. I don't think I have a bad track record in these 100 games although sometimes you get a different feeling about that if you listen to everything. But it is nice that my 100th game is such a nice one to play."

• On Liverpool not converting enough chances: "We don't create as many chances from all our ball possession but I watch football and creating chances is not something happening a lot anymore. It helps if a player like Florian Wirtz is back, would definitely help if Alexander Isak was available more. Mo of course not being available when at Afcon, so there are definitely reasons for it."

• But Slot says his side are working on it: "We do a lot of similar things that we did last year, we press, counter-press but teams are organised more and more in the same style, man-to-man over the pitch or low block with 11. It is not common anymore. So we are working on it, it is obvious to everyone we have worked on it, set-pieces have helped."

Image source, Getty Images

The draw for the FA Cup quarter finals has been made. Here is a list of all the ties in the order they were drawn:

• Southampton v Arsenal

• Chelsea v Port Vale

• Manchester City v Liverpool

• West Ham or Brentford v Leeds United

The ties will be played around the weekend of Saturday, 4 April.

Watch all the highlights and best video from this season's FA Cup

Jordan Chamberlain
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

It's fair to say the genie is out of the bottle with Rio Ngumoha.

The 17-year-old is scintillating and was the most exciting player on the pitch in the FA Cup victory over Wolves on Friday night.

Liverpool chose not to buy another left-winger last summer in the hope of providing Ngumoha a clear route to the first-team. It probably hasn't helped this season, with the lack of competition for Cody Gakpo problematic. But in the long term, it may turn out to be a good decision given the wonderkid's blatant potential.

Ngumoha can dribble like few players I've ever seen at his age. His close control is exquisite and the footballer whose style it most reminds me of is actually Neymar. If he turns out half as good as the Brazilian, we're in for a treat.

Arne Slot is managing him well, though. He is easing him into first-team action and not overplaying him. Ngumoha has every fan on the edge of their seat when he picks up the ball with space in front of him.

His directness is most compelling. He wants to get into the box and make something happen every time he's on the ball.

Obviously he needs to bulk up and massively improve his decision making. But the raw materials are available.

It'll be interesting to see how much Slot leans on him in the coming weeks, especially given every game now is either a huge Premier League fixture or a big cup match.

Find more from Jordan Chamberlain at Empire of the Kop, external

Pundits Ellen White and Glenn Murray join host Kelly Somers to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday and Sunday's FA Cup ties.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:

• Port Vale 1-0 Sunderland

• Fulham 0-1 Southampton

• Leeds 3-0 Norwich

• Wrexham 2-3 Chelsea

• Newcastle 1-3 Man City

• Mansfield Town 1-2 Arsenal

• Wolves 1-3 Liverpool

Liverpool's Andy Robertson says conversations over his future will not be "played out in public" after the Scotland left-back, 31, went close to joining Tottenham in January. (Athletic - subscription required), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Monday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch has signed a new long-term deal to keep him at the club until 2032.

The Dutch international has been an integral part of Liverpool's squad this season, featuring in 36 games across all competitions with 10 goal contributions.

The 23-year-old joined the club in 2023 from Bayern Munich, and his previous contract was due to expire in 2028.

Last season he was heavily involved in Liverpool's Premier League winning campaign, and was also included in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year.

"For the short term, [my aim is to] end the season as good as possible," Gravenberch told Liverpool's media team.

"For the long term, win many more trophies with Liverpool."

We asked for your thoughts after Friday's FA Cup fifth-round tie between Wolves and Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Wolves fans

Andy: We're getting better, but only very, very slowly. On the odd occasions when we drive at the opposition, with quick over laps and one-twos, we look superb - but minutes later we're slowly moving the ball left to right, right to left, with little or no movement up front. The tactic seems to be to bore the opposition into making a defensive error. It's horrible to watch and achieves nothing and I can't understand why they've adopted it as their main tactic.

Colin: Losing possession anywhere on the pitch results in conceding a goal too frequently. There is insufficient cover when we attack one on one.

Rhys: Shameful and a disgrace. Abysmal performance and we should have lost by 10.

Wol: Poor performance by every player. Gomes looked lost without Andre alongside him. After Tuesdays win, I thought that we would have had a go at them. No shots in the first half and 29% possession when you are at home is no good. Fans paid good money to watch a sub-standard performance with no effort from some players. We need to show more fight till the end of the season and hopefully not finish bottom, which would be a nice way to end the campaign.

Liverpool fans

Jimmy: Very accomplished from the Reds. I am getting really fed up with the media campaign against Arne Slot. Anyone that is actually watching the games can see he is a smart thinker setting his teams up very well to play attractive football and win matches. He may be too patient with Mo Salah, but it isn't Slot making defensive errors and the injuries are not his fault. The club needs to buy him defensive reinforcements but he is doing a great job with a squad that was created to win next season, not this.

Rachael: Andy Robertson has been so important to Liverpool over the past nine years. Slot needs to recognise his importance and play him more regularly. We are a better team when he is on the pitch.

Duncan: Slot needs to give both Rio Ngumoha and Jeremie Frimpong a chance to start on opposite wings, and drop Salah. With both of them up front running at defence, we look more dangerous!

Ross: If Slot thinks Milos Kerkez is a better left-back than Robbo, then maybe the manager's team selections are why Liverpool are doing so poorly this season! It is a disgrace that Robertson has only started two games in the past three months.

Nick Mashiter
Football reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Andrew Robertson has been a fringe player for Liverpool this season.

He has just two league starts in three months after losing his place to summer signing Milos Kerkez, who arrived from Bournemouth for £40m.

Yet the Scotland international sent a reminder of his quality at Molineux with a stunning opener and a classy assist for Mohamed Salah.

Since joining from Hull City for just £8m in 2017, the defender has won two Premier League titles, the Champions League - and twice been runner up - two League Cups and an FA Cup.

Robertson has epitomised Liverpool's success over the past decade and at 31 still has a lot to offer at Anfield.

He almost joined Tottenham in January - perhaps a lucky escape given Spurs' Premier League woes - but Liverpool would be foolish to write him off.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot, spoke to BBC Sport after his side's victory at Wolves: "A lot of ball possession, them creating one chance and scoring one goal that was similar to three days ago. We created more than we did in the last game and that is the reason we could win it today."

On Andy Robertson: "I think they all want to play every single game, which is not possible. He did his job very well today. I think he had a really good game."

On conceding: "Almost all things were the same from three days ago except we scored more. Very frustrating to see we have hardly given away any chances, but we still concede a goal."

On Rio Ngumoha: "Special because if you're 17-years-old, and you can impact two Premier League sides facing each other, then that tells you how good of a player he is. But it is up to him to bring this every time. This should give him a lot of confidence to show this in an away game."

On where this leaves Liverpool: "Every three days I have a different feeling. Three days ago my feeling was completely different to now. Good to be in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. In three-four days away, another big game in Istanbul."

Liverpool left-back and goalscorer Andy Robertson, also spoke to BBC One: "A bit more like it. We know we let ourselves down on Tuesday. Not the performance we expect from ourselves. It was up to us to go and put it right. The FA Cup is do or die.

On his goal: "Couldn't have hit it much better! It opened up and, thankfully, I hit it clean. We are delighted to get through now."

On having a point to prove: "I'm not sure if I have a point to prove in a Liverpool shirt. The fans know I give everything in a Liverpool shirt. When you get on the pitch you just want to enjoy it. It is what it is. Milos [Kerkez] is a fantastic left-back.

"He had an unbelievable season last season at Bournemouth. It took time to settle into a big club. The club has to move forward, the lads who have been here so long are not getting any younger. You have to accept it. I have had competition my whole career."

On Liverpool's form: "We are trying to fight on all fronts. We are still in two cup competitions. If we play like we did tonight, then nobody wants to play against us. We have to start showing that consistency. It is one step forward and two steps back."

Did you know?

• Liverpool have reached the quarter-final of the FA Cup for a third time in the last five seasons (also 2021-22 and 2023-24), as many as the previous 20 beforehand.

• Since Liverpool began their Uefa Champions League campaign on September 17th, they have won as many of their 13 games in domestic and European cup competitions, as they have in 25 matches in the Premier League (10).

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Wolves' performance

What did you make of Liverpool's display?

Come back on Saturday for a selection of your replies

Rob Edwards makes six changes for Wolves following their last-gasp 2-1 Premier League win over Liverpool on Tuesday.

Sam Johnstone, Yerson Mosquera, Toti Gomes, Hugo Bueno, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde and Tolu Arokodare return.

Jose Sa is out with an ankle injury while Tom Edozie comes into the squad for the suspended Andre.

Wolves XI: Johnstone, Tchatchoua, Mosquera, S Bueno, Toti, H Bueno, J Gomes, A Gomes, Bellegarde, Mane, Arokodare,

Subs: Bentley, Lima, Doherty, Krejci, Wolfe, R Gomes, Edozie, Hwang, Armstrong.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot makes four changes with the Reds hunting revenge at Molineux.

Joe Gomez, Andy Robertson, Curtis Jones and Rio Ngumoha start for the visitors.

Florian Wirtz is on the bench after a back issue with Hugo Ekitike, Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate joining him.

Liverpool XI: Alisson, Jones, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Gakpo, Ngumoha, Salah.

Subs: Mamardashvili, Konate, Kerkez, Wirtz, Chiesa, Ekitike, Frimpong, Nyoni, Morrison.