Liverpool delivered a statement performance at Anfield, dismantling Galatasaray to avenge two earlier defeats and secure their place in the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals.

This was the third meeting between the sides this season, and until now, it had been all about the Turkish champions. Galatasaray had edged both previous encounters 1-0 — in the league phase and the first leg of the Round of 16. But on this night, Liverpool rewrote the narrative in emphatic fashion.

The breakthrough came in the 25th minute, and it was as clever as it was clinical. From a corner routine, the visitors anticipated an aerial delivery towards Virgil van Dijk or Ibrahima Konate. Instead, the ball was played low into the centre of the box, where Dominik Szoboszlai arrived unmarked and fired a precise shot through a crowded area and into the net.

What followed was a relentless eight-minute spell that could have put the tie to bed before half-time. Mohamed Salah was denied in a one-on-one by Ugurcan Cakir. Moments later, Florian Wirtz, after a series of ricochets, somehow lifted his effort over the bar from close range. Alexis Mac Allister struck the crossbar from a corner — though the referee had already spotted a foul — and Cakir then produced a stunning save to deny Szoboszlai from distance after a neat lay-off by Wirtz.

Deep into stoppage time, Ismail Jakobs brought down Szoboszlai in the box, and the referee pointed to the spot. However, Salah failed to capitalise, his tentative penalty saved by Cakir, keeping Galatasaray within reach at the break.

The second half began with Liverpool in full flow. Cakir initially kept his side alive with a brilliant save to tip Hugo Ekitike's effort onto the bar, but just minutes later, the French forward found the net, finishing off a perfect low cross from Salah.

Within two minutes, it was three. Cakir once again denied Salah, but Ryan Gravenberch reacted quickest to the rebound, slotting the ball into the corner.

Then came a milestone moment. In the 62nd minute, Salah combined beautifully with Wirtz before curling a sublime effort into the far corner. Cakir got fingertips to it, but couldn’t keep it out. It was the Egyptian’s 50th goal in the Champions League.

Salah nearly added another, rattling the crossbar, while Cakir continued to resist with a point-blank save from Mac Allister. Ekitike also saw a follow-up effort go astray as Liverpool pushed for more.

A fifth goal was eventually ruled out after a foul by Van Dijk in the build-up, but it mattered little.

2025-26 UEFA Champions League

Liverpool - Galatasaray 4:0 (1:0)
Goals: Szoboszlai, 25 (1:0); Ekitike, 51 (2:0); Gravenberch R., 53 (3:0); Salah, 62 (4:0)

Liverpool: Alisson; van Dijk; Konate; Kerkez M.; Frimpong J. (Jones Cur., 67); Gravenberch R. (Chiesa F., 89); Wirtz (Nyoni, 89); Szoboszlai; Mac Allister A.; Salah (Gakpo, 74); Ekitike (Ngumoha, 89)
Substitution: Jones Cur. (from 67); Gakpo (from 74); Chiesa F. (from 89); Nyoni (from 89); Ngumoha (from 89)
Bench: Mamardashvili; Woodman; Nallo; Gomez; Robertson A.; Morrison K.

Galatasaray: Çakir U.; Jakobs I.; Bardakçı (Elmali, 73); Singo; Boey (Lang N., 46; Icardi, 80); Gabriel Sara; Sallai R.; Torreira (Akgün Y., 60); Lemina; Osimhen (Sane L., 46); Yılmaz B.
Substitution: Sane L. (from 46); Lang N. (from 46 till 80); Akgün Y. (from 60); Elmali (from 73); Icardi (from 80)
Bench: Şen B.; Guvenc; Ayhan; Gundogan; Gurpuz; Asprilla; Kutucu