Lemina’s strike secures slender first-leg lead for Galatasaray over Liverpool | OneFootball

Liverpool suffered a narrow 1-0 to Galatasaray in the first leg of their round of 16 UEFA Champions League tie at RAMS Park on Tuesday.

In the opening two minutes of the game, Florian Wirtz could’ve opened the scoring after he latched onto a loose pass from Mario Lemina, but the German fired his first-time effort wide.

Despite the hosts’ sloppy start to the game, Lemina fired them ahead after Victor Osimhen flicked a corner to his path who headed home the opener.

Moments later, Osimhen almost doubled the host’s lead after he got onto Ismail Jakobs’ cross, but the Nigerian headed just wide of the right post.

At the other end, Ibrahima Konate tried his luck from distance but his effort flew just over the bar.

Minutes later, Osimhen saw two of his attempts float wide, before Giorgi Mamardashvili kept out Davinson Sanchez’s header as the hosts searched for a second goal.

Just before the break, the Reds could’ve drawn level after Milos Kerkez found Wirtz, but the German’s header was comfortably gathered by Cakir.

Three minutes after the restart, Alexis Mac Allister squandered a glorious opportunity to restore parity for the visitors, but he dragged his effort wide from the edge of the area before Dominik Szoboszlai fired his long-range effort wide.

In the 64th minute, Osimhen thought he had doubled the Lions’ advantage when he tucked home the ball after scrappy defending from Konate, but he was denied by the offside flag.

At the other end, Hugo Ekitike was presented with the visitors’ best chance of the evening after he intercepted a pass to Sanchez to race through on goal but Ugurcan Cakir denied the Frenchman.

In the 71st minute, Liverpool thought they had drawn level after a scrappy goal from a corner, but after a VAR check, the goal was ruled out for handball on Konate in the buildup.

In the closing stages of the game, the hosts absorbed the Reds’ pressure and held on to the win.

The return leg will take place next Wednesday at Anfield, and Liverpool will be keen on overturning the deficit.