There was no miracle of Istanbul this time, 20 years on from Liverpool’s most famous night in this charming city on the banks of the Bosphorus, but they will need another minor miracle to win the Champions League again this year if they defend like this.
‘Miracle’ is a bit strong but Arne Slot knows his Premier League champions are a shadow of their former selves at that end of the pitch and must improve if they want to be crowned kings of the continent in May.
After losing to Crystal Palace on Saturday they fell to defeat again in this hellish and unwelcoming setting to Galatasaray, with VAR working against the Reds as a 90th-minute penalty was chalked off.