The reigning English champion sent their domestic concerns packing with an electrifying performance that was completely one-sided against the Turks, who were overwhelmed by the intensity throughout.
The Reds also exacted revenge on Galatasaray after suffering two 1-0 defeats in Istanbul this season, once at the group stage in late September and then in the first leg of the round of 16 last week.
They made the return leg a formality to set up a reunion with another team that brought back bad memories: PSG, who eliminated them at this stage of the competition last season.
Arne Slot’s team pulled off a heist at the Parc des Princes, winning 1-0, but were later knocked out by the eventual European champions in the home leg, with a goal from Ousmane Dembélé (1-0) and a masterful penalty shootout by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The faces of both teams have changed recently, especially with the departure of the Italian goalkeeper, but there will be revenge in the air.
With their summer signings upfront (Wirtz and Ekitik) and at the back (Kerkez and Frimpong), Liverpool treated their fans to a heavy metal football display on Wednesday, resembling the style of last season, or even the Jürgen Klopp era, where relentless offensive waves were the norm.
The Reds tried to break through on the wings, in the middle, in tight spaces, or with long balls to crack the Turkish defense, but the breakthrough came from a set piece.
On a corner kick, Dominik Szoboszlai drifted away from the box to go unnoticed, Alexis Mac Allister found him with a pass, and the Hungarian midfielder slotted it home with his left foot (25th minute, 1-0).
Playing as a number 10, where he excels, Szoboszlai not only scored his twelfth goal of the season, the fifth in Europe. He constantly harassed the opposition defense and was rewarded when he earned a penalty just before halftime.
However, Mohamed Salah squandered the opportunity with a poorly executed “Panenka” style shot, which was not high or strong enough, easily saved by Ugurcan Cakir with his right foot (45+4).
The Egyptian had already missed a one-on-one with the goalkeeper earlier and had been involved in a sequence of high-intensity moments, with chances created by Florian Wirtz (31st), Mac Allister (32nd), and Szobozlai (33rd).
Salah redeemed himself with the next three goals, securing his team’s place in the quarterfinals, a first since 2022.
First, he provided an assist for Hugo Ekitiké after a smooth and delightful team move (51st minute, 2-0), then he unleashed a shot that forced a difficult save from the goalkeeper, leading to Rayan Gravenberch’s goal (53rd, 3-0).
Salah completed his masterpiece with a superb curling strike from outside the box (62nd, 4-0), marking his 50th goal in the Champions League and further solidifying his place in history.
The 2019 winner hit the crossbar with another attempt (67th) and could have added a second assist if not for Cakir’s save against Mac Allister (68th).
The “King of Egypt” later asked to be substituted due to a physical issue, leaving the field to a standing ovation from the fans.
On the other hand, it was a nightmarish evening for Galatasaray, the Super Lig leader, who was utterly ineffective (one shot on target) and suffered two injuries to Victor Osimhen and Noa Lang, who had to be stretchered off the pitch.
