Liverpool’s players were subjected to fireworks let off outside their Istanbul hotel designed to disturb their sleep – but it is a second successive loss that must act as the real wake-up call.
The Premier League champions hardly need to go into panic mode as they sit top of the table, but the warning signs of frailty that have dogged the early weeks of their campaign were on display again as they lost 1-0 to Galatasaray in the Champions League.
After a seamless transition following his succession to Jurgen Klopp, the title won so impressively in his first term in charge, head coach Arne Slot has hit the first real bumps in the road.
On current evidence, after spending close to £450m in the summer, this may yet turn out to be Slot’s transitional campaign, rather than the smooth takeover from Klopp without any major acquisitions that followed his arrival from Feyenoord.
Alexander Isak, a substitute in Turkey, is still way short of full match fitness following his drawn-out and acrimonious British record £125m move from Newcastle United.
And Florian Wirtz, a little cheaper at £116m from Bayer Leverkusen, currently looks somewhat lost and lightweight while he adjusts to the pace of life at Liverpool.
But this was not a good night for Slot either.
The Dutchman’s golden touch with his decision-making deserted him here in Istanbul, the choice to leave Mohamed Salah on the bench backfiring. When the Egyptian was introduced just after the hour, Galatasaray held the lead and the initiative with Liverpool struggling to create chances.
The last time Salah was placed on the bench for a Champions League game was against Rangers in October 2022. You suspect Slot may not do it again in a hurry.