Liverpool slumped to a surprise second straight loss as Galatasaray pulled off a 1-0 Champions League upset in Istanbul on Wednesday (AEST).
Victor Osimhen scored the winner in the 16th minute after Dominik Szoboszlai fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz in the penalty box.
The Turkey winger made the most of the contact and fell to the turf while clutching his face theatrically.
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Some Liverpool fans were incensed but England legend Alan Shearer said referee Clement Turpin had got the decision right.
"It's just that trailing arm, isn't it?' Shearer said in commentary.
"It catches him, just invites him to go down. It catches him and the referee has got a really, really good view of it."
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Former referee Mark Clattenburg agreed.
"As he goes in to challenge him, his trailing arm catches him in the face and it was a simple decision from a well positioned referee," he said.
Liverpool had hope in the 88th minute when Turpin awarded them a penalty but VAR correctly scrubbed it off.
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Liverpool now have a win and a loss in Europe after beating Atletico Madrid 3-2 in their opener.
Their last start was a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday (AEST).
It is the first time in six months that Arne Slot's side have suffered back-to-back losses.
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Liverpool lost goalkeeper Alisson and striker Hugo Ekitike to injury during the match in front of a raucous crowd.
The win was a first in seven years at home in the Champions League for the Turkish side and a notable one against opponents unbeaten in all competitions until last weekend.
Galatasaray could have been in front already in the second minute when Yilmaz caught the defence napping and went one on one with Alisson, who stood firm and shut out the danger.
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Liverpool then missed a golden chance of their own in the 13th minute when Ekitike miscued the ball after getting into a scoring position and Cody Gakpo had a shot cleared off the line on the rebound.
From almost taking the lead, Liverpool found themselves behind seconds later when Osimhen stepped up and lifted the already volcanic crowd to the point of eruption.
The visitors had the chance to equalise in the 32nd minute, with another Ekitike shot blocked and Ibrahima Konate missing from close range, but continued to look vulnerable and gave away a free kick on the edge of the area on the stroke of halftime.
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The second half brought a raft of substitutions but no change on the pitch and Liverpool still looking nervous in defence, with loose passing as Galatasaray worked constantly to keep up the pressure.
Alisson limped off after saving from Osimhen and Ekitike then pulled up after stretching for the ball.
Liverpool sniffed an equaliser in the 88th minute when referee Turpin pointed to the spot but the decision was overturned by a VAR review deciding that Wilfried Singo had played the ball.
Fans displayed banners protesting the war in Gaza at both ends of the pitch and there was a tribute to the late Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva before the kickoff.
Liverpool's next match is a Premier League blockbuster away to Chelsea on Sunday (AEST).
Chelsea beat Benfica 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday (AEST).
MORE TO COME…
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