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Lemina’s goal helped GAL secure a 1-0 lead in the first leg.
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Liverpool missed several chances to score in the UCL first leg.
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Salah did not have a single shot in his 81st Champions League match for Liverpool.
Mario Lemina was the key player for Galatasaray, leading them to a 1-0 victory over Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League Round of 16 match on Tuesday.
Lemina’s header in the first half marked the only goal of the game at Rams Park, which featured a total of four significant chances, 30 shots, and two goals that were disallowed.
Florian Wirtz had an early chance, missing the target after Lemina passed to him just 104 seconds into the match. Meanwhile, Lemina made his mark by scoring with a close-range header from a well-executed corner.
Wirtz missed another opportunity shortly after following good teamwork from Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike, and Alex Mac Allister. Galatasaray’s goalkeeper, Giorgi Marmardashvili, made two crucial saves against Noa Lang and Davinson Sanchez.
In the second half, Dominik Szoboszlai forced a stop from Ugurcan Cakir, while Mac Allister shot wide of the left post. Liverpool was also relieved when Victor Osimhen’s goal was disallowed for offside against Baris Yilmaz in the build-up.
Liverpool had a goal ruled out as well when Ibrahima Konate was deemed to have handled the ball during a corner before it bounced in off Wilfried Singo. Cakir also prevented a possible own goal from Sanchez in the final moments, allowing Galatasaray to maintain their first-leg lead.