Liverpool crush Galatasaray 4-0 at Anfield to overturn first-leg deficit and reach Champions League quarters
Trailing 1-0 from the first leg in Istanbul, Liverpool needed a response at Anfield on Wednesday night. What Galatasaray got in return was four unanswered goals and a lesson in what happens when Arne Slot's side click into gear.
Szoboszlai breaks the deadlock
Liverpool controlled possession from the off but had to be patient. Galatasaray sat deep and tried to protect their slender lead, but Dominik Szoboszlai found the gap in the 25th minute, firing past the goalkeeper to level the tie on aggregate. The Hungarian's goal changed the dynamic of the evening. Liverpool had the lead, and Galatasaray suddenly needed to attack.
Salah had a penalty saved before half-time, which could have killed the tie earlier. Instead, Galatasaray went into the break still within touching distance at 1-0 on the night, 1-1 on aggregate.
Two goals in two minutes break Galatasaray
The second half was barely six minutes old when Liverpool put the result beyond doubt. Hugo Ekitike doubled the lead in the 51st minute, and just two minutes later Ryan Gravenberch added a third. Two goals in 120 seconds, and Galatasaray's campaign was over.
Salah completed the scoring in the 62nd minute, making up for his earlier penalty miss with a composed finish. The final scoreline read 4-0 on the night, 4-1 on aggregate. Anfield's atmosphere carried Liverpool through, and the Kop was in full voice from first whistle to last.
PSG next in the quarter-finals
Liverpool now face defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in the quarter-finals starting April 7. PSG beat Chelsea 8-2 on aggregate over their two legs, so Slot knows what is coming. For now, though, the focus is on erasing the memory of that shock first-leg loss in Istanbul and reminding Europe that this Liverpool side are serious.
Gravenberch, who recently signed a new six-year deal at the club, put in one of his best performances of the season. With the Premier League title race still alive and a Champions League quarter-final on the horizon, Liverpool have plenty to play for this spring.
