Liverpool hit by double injury blow in 12 minutes against Galatasaray

Liverpool's disappointing night in Istanbul was compounded by two potentially crucial injury setbacks. While trailing Galatasaray 1-0 in the second half of their Champions League fixture, manager Arne Slot was forced to substitute both goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Hugo Ekitike, significantly compounding the team's struggles.

The initial blow came in the 56th minute when Alisson was withdrawn after appearing to sustain a knock while making a save. The Brazilian shot-stopper was replaced by Giorgi Mamardashvili. Just 12 minutes later, the injury woes deepened as Hugo Ekitike was forced to leave the pitch. The forward seemed to pull up with a hamstring issue, gesturing to the medical staff before being substituted for Alexis Mac Allister.

The injuries arrive at a sensitive time for the Reds, who are navigating a demanding schedule while integrating several new players. Ahead of the match, manager Arne Slot had emphasized the need for squad rotation and adaptation.

"We have to utilise our squad and utilising doesn’t always mean from the start, players can come in as well," Slot commented before the game, noting that the team had both added and lost players over the summer. "If you bring in new players, no matter how good they are, they still have to adjust to each other."

The manager's words about utilizing the squad now take on greater urgency. With a crucial game approaching in just a few days, the severity of the injuries to Alisson and Ekitike will determine how deeply Liverpool's depth is tested in the coming weeks.