Galatasaray vs Liverpool live: Early Lemina goal gives hosts narrow win in chaotic Champions League first-leg tie | OneFootball

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Alexis Mac Allister and Arne Slot speak ahead of Champions League first leg at Galatasaray

An early Mario Lemina goal gave Galatasaray a slender win in their Champions League round of 16 first-leg clash against Liverpool.

Liverpool started strong at Rams Park but found themselves behind within seven minutes, Mario Lemina arriving unmarked to power in from Victor Osimhen’s header.

And the Reds they found themselves lucky to only be one down at half-time, Giorgi Mamardashvili making a great save from Davinson Sanchez and Osimhen. Nevertheless, the visitors were themselves unlucky not to score in a chaotic first half, Florian Wirtz twice going close.

But while the Reds started the second half as the better of the two sides, it was Galatasaray who though they’d extended their lead, Osimhen bundling in before it was chalked off for offside on Yilmaz.

And while it was not long before Liverpool had an equaliser ruled out themselves – Konate penalised for a handball before he scored – the visitors were unable to fight their way back into it, Galatasaray going close on a couple of occasions before the final whistle as they wrapped up a result that leaves Liverpool with plenty to do in next week’s second leg at Anfield.