Dominik Szoboszlai exposed – Three decisions Arne Slot got wrong for Liverpool vs Galatasaray
Liverpool lost 1-0 to Galatasaray in the Champions League, marking the first time they have lost back to back games since March.
It was another poor performance from Liverpool this season, with the Reds now being punished for their lack of chemistry and form. Until Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace on Saturday, the Reds were finding ways to win games despite playing poorly but they have now come crashing back to reality.
Fans online have urged Liverpool to sell Ibrahima Konate after another head-scratching display from the Frenchman amid his contract standoff and interest from Real Madrid.
Arne Slot has been heavily criticised in recent weeks, and after he made several baffling team selection decisions, the pressure is steadily mounting on the Dutchman.
Playing Dominik Szoboszlai at right back exposed after 14 minutes
Opta data shows that it took just 25 seconds from Cody Gakpo having a shot cleared off the line before Dominik Szobozlai conceded a penalty against Galatasaray at the opposite end. The Hungarian slapped Barış Alper Yilmaz in the face in the 14th minute, conceding a spot kick that Victor Osimhen duly dispatched.
BBC’s Pat Nevin questioned Arne Slot’s decision after the penalty: “That decision to play Szoboszlai at right back and not Frimpong – he has been attacked twice, done for pace and has given away a penalty.”
The penalty raises questions over whether or not Slot made the right decision to play the midfielder at right back over Jeremie Frimpong. Much like his former Bayer Leverkusen teammate, Florian Wirtz, Frimpong doesn’t yet have a clearly defined role at Anfield.
The 24-year-old’s six Liverpool appearances so far have seen him play at right wing twice and at right back four times, with Slot showing a tendency to play Szoboszlai at fullback over Frimpong and Conor Bradley, even when both are fit.
Additionally, Liverpool battled to control the midfield and could have used Szoboszlai’s industry in areas where he’s better suited.
Andy Robertson needed to return to the starting lineup
Milos Kerkez has been the most underwhelming Liverpool signing of the summer, and it begs the question: why has Andy Robertson not started again since Atletico Madrid after replacing the Hungarian fullback, who was hooked before half-time against Burnley?
Robertson also scored against Atleti, albeit only via a woefully inaccurate free kick from Mohamed Salah.
The main reason Robertson is needed over Kerkez is that Liverpool’s left flank has been hugely ineffective amid Wirtz’s struggles to adapt to life at Anfield. Cody Gakpo hasn’t scored since the Premier League opener against Bournemouth either.
With Liverpool as a team showing a concerning lack of chemistry, it would be wise for Slot to rely more on the most experienced players at Liverpool. Robertson, while certainly beyond his peak, still has a lot to offer.
Leaving both Mohamed Salah and Alexander Isak on the bench
The idea of resting both Salah and Alexander Isak was an admirable one, given that the former is out of form and the latter is unfit. However, given Liverpool’s shocking record against Turkish opposition, the Reds could have used either of them on Tuesday evening.
After 34 goals and 23 assists last season, Salah has looked a shadow of himself in the 2025-26 season, and yet he is still so important to Liverpool.
Isak, on the other hand, managed 27 goals and six assists for Newcastle United last season, and his talents could have been used as well.
One way or another, Slot’s decisions haven’t been panning out this seaso,n even in spite of the results they’ve managed in the Premier League. Liverpool simply are not playing well this season.