Liverpool Dominates Galatasaray 4-0 (4-1 on Aggregate): Salah's Historic Moment Amidst Surprise Penalty Miss Sparks PSG Rematch

IN THE end, it was the sort of night Arne Slot really needed.

A comfortable win, the Kop in full voice, rarely a moment of doubt.

Mo Salah scored a wonderful goal and produced an excellent assistCredit: Getty Hugo Ekitike’s goal gave Liverpool an aggregate leadCredit: EPA Dominik Szoboszlai rifled in a beauty to open the scoringCredit: EPA

And a half century for the King of the Kop – burying the memories of his first half spot-kick shocker as he bent a beauty into the far corner.

Even when Mo Salah, of all people, produced that penalty to forget in first half stoppage time, there was never a moment when Liverpool looked as if anything could prevent them cantering past the limited Turks.

Dominik Szoboslai, once again, led the way with a terrific opener before earning the spot-kick limply struck at keeper Ugurcan Cakir by Salah, still seeking that 50th Champions league goal.

But two in as many minutes at the start of the second half, Salah involved as Hugo Etitike and netted, provided the platform for the moment Anfield was baying to see.

A double exchange with , a nudge into space and a left-footer that was only going to finish high in the corner from the edge of the box.

It all added up to a comfortable passage before the real Champions League hard work starts for the Reds.

Next up, last season’s nemesis and the holders, PSG, followed by or , with favourites to lie in wait in Budapest.

But after the boos and jeers directed at Slot on Sunday, the Dutchman will have enjoyed a night of calm certainty.

Indeed, this was exactly what Liverpool wanted, although they were helped from the outset when Galatasaray’s most potent weapon, Victor Osimhen, took a whack on his left forearm from Ibrahima Konate’s knee in a tussle on half-way.

The Nigerian went off for treatment twice, returning the second time with his arm encased in bandages, but while he stayed on, he was little more than a passenger, his side effectively playing a man light until he went off at the interval.

Liverpool were grateful for the extra edge, although they had not really threatened before they went ahead in the 25th minute.

Florian Wirtz’ shot from distance was deflected behind and with the visitors focused on the red shirts inside the six-yard box, they took their eyes off Szoboszlai.

Alexis Mac Allister did not, pulling back to the edge of the box – Roland Sallai appealed in vain that he had been illegally blocked by Konate – for the Hungarian to pick his spot with his left peg.

Lift off? It should have been and even before Salah’s spot-kick shocker Slot’s side could have been out of sight.

Salah chipped into the keeper’s hands when he was played in by skipper Abdulkerim Bardakci’s dreadful header towards his own goal.

Wirtz, eight yards out after a bullocking run by the effervescent Etitike, saw his effort deflected over the top, before Mac Allister headed against the bar – although his foul on Cakir had been spotted.

And Szoboszlai, this time with his right, was denied by a flying save by the keeper.

Even so, when Szoboszlai’s exaggerated double-footed leap when he was caught by a clumsy swipe by left-back Ismail Jacobs was eventually spotted by stand-in ref Paweł Raczkowski – fellow Pole Szymon Marciniak was injured in the warm-up – it should have been Salah’s moment.

Instead, the Egyptian’s attempted Panenka barely left the ground, allowing Cakir to kick the ball away as he dived to his left.

Awful by any standards, although it would have been rapidly forgotten had either Salah or, on the rebound, Wirtz, forced the ball past the Galatasaray gloveman before the break.

But all was forgiven as two in two minutes just restart ensured that return trip to Paris.

The first came from two simple but effective passes that cut the Turks to defensive ribbons.

Mac Allister’s first time angled ball found Salah onside on the right, he instantly centred and Etitike, unmarked, could not miss.

And instantly, it was Wirtz who sent Egyptian in on goal and while Cakir parried, the ball fell perfectly for Gravenberch, whose scuffed effort had the direction and power to find the bottom corner.

Enter, to become the first African to reach the 50-mark and the 12th in the history of the competition – was the 11th, less than an hour earlier – Salah, a goal of glorious quality.

He could have had more, as could Liverpool, the bar denying Salah a fifth while Etitke and Mac Allister also went close.

Not that it really mattered. This was already long over and done with, the Turks, with no fans inside Anfield to cheer them on, showing no belief whatsoever, totally blown away.

Salah departed to another standing ovation. It may only have been his 10th of the season but he remains the pride of Merseyside. Slot, too, had something to smile about.

Ryan Gravenberch made the scoreline comfortable for the RedsCredit: Shutterstock Editorial