Chelsea have rare chance to do something to Liverpool that hasn’t happened in nearly a decade
Liverpool lost their second game in a row, a 1-0 defeat to Galatasaray on Tuesday evening, and are at risk of breaking a concerning record.
Dominik Szoboszlai conceded a penalty in the first half, which proved to be the winner, while Liverpool won a penalty late in the second half, but Jon Moss’ verdict on VAR overturning Ibrahima Konate’s penalty was fair.
Referee Clement Turpin got three decisions wrong, while fans online might believe there were more, but Liverpool were not good enough to win the game.
Arne Slot made three team selection mistakes as he failed to set his team up for the Champions League tie. Whereas last season, Liverpool went unbeaten in the group phase, and the Reds tasted European defeat just two games in this season.
Liverpool are on the verge of losing three games in succession for first time in eight years
After losing 1-0 to Galatasaray, Liverpool lost their second game in a row. It’s the first time Liverpool have lost back-to-back games since March 2025, when the Carabao Cup final defeat to Newcastle United immediately followed their penalty shootout defeat to PSG in the Champions League quarter-final.
Now, Chelsea have the chance to take it one step further and make it three defeats in a row.
Liverpool haven’t lost three matches in a row in all competitions since January 2017. The games they lost were:
- Liverpool 0-1 Southampton – 25 January 2017 (EFL Cup semi-final at Anfield)
- Liverpool 1-2 Wolves – 28 January 2017 (FA Cup 4th round at Anfield)
- Hull City 2-0 Liverpool – 4 February 2017 (Premier League)
Liverpool don’t look hungry enough, tackling data is worrying
In only two of their 10 games this season have Liverpool been the team with the most tackles, with one of those games coming against Championship opposition Southampton in the FA Cup.
Put another way, Liverpool have been out-tackled in 80% of their games this season.
| Tackles | Home Team | Away Team | Tackles |
| 17 | Crystal Palace | Liverpool | 14 |
| 16 | Liverpool | Bournemouth | 20 |
| 12 | Newcastle United | Liverpool | 13 |
| 11 | Liverpool | Arsenal | 14 |
| 16 | Burnley | Liverpool | 10 |
| 13 | Liverpool | Atletico Madrid | 17 |
| 18 | Liverpool | Everton | 18 |
| 13 | Liverpool | Southampton | 12 |
| 24 | Crystal Palace | Liverpool | 7 |
| 25 | Galatasaray | Liverpool | 12 |
The data points to an underlying issue at Liverpool. The Merseysiders don’t appear to have the same hunger and intensity as they did last term, and they look fairly easy to cut through.
If Liverpool’s 10 games this season have proven anything, it’s that teams will get enough big chances to hurt Slot’s team. Something has to change.
Otherwise, the Premier League champions will struggle to defend their title.