Slot Blames Referee for Disrupting Liverpool’s Rhythm in Istanbul
Liverpool’s 1-0 Champions League defeat to Galatasaray has drawn fresh criticism, with manager Arne Slot arguing that constant stoppages made it nearly impossible for his side to impose their game.
Speaking after the match, the 47-year-old expressed frustration over the lack of flow:
“In the second half, it became harder and harder to create chances. Partly because they gave everything… but also because we hardly played at all. The ball was barely in play,” Slot told liverpoolfc.com.
French referee Clément Turpin was at the center of controversy, awarding a first-half penalty against Dominik Szoboszlai for a foul on Barış Alper Yılmaz—a decision that set the tone for a stop-start contest. Liverpool’s momentum, particularly after the break, was repeatedly broken up by delays and interruptions.
Club legend John Aldridge echoed Slot’s concerns, insisting the stop-start nature of the match warranted at least 20 minutes of stoppage time.
The result adds to Liverpool’s problems, coming just days after their loss to Crystal Palace. Questions remain over the side’s attacking struggles, with injuries and rotation continuing to complicate matters.
Slot highlighted the disrupted pre-season preparations of players like Hugo Ekitike, Alexander Isak, and Alexis Mac Allister, admitting it has forced him into difficult decisions during a congested fixture list.
“I really value my squad, but we don’t have 25 or 26 players. If we lose two, three, or four, it becomes very challenging,” he explained.
Jeremie Frimpong started on the right flank in Istanbul, a move Slot justified by citing his Bayer Leverkusen experience in the role, as well as the heavy workload already carried by Mohamed Salah this season.
Attention now shifts to Saturday’s clash with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, where Giorgi Mamardashvili is expected to deputize for the injured Alisson. The Reds also face lingering uncertainty over Ekitike’s availability, adding further pressure to respond after back-to-back defeats.
