Liverpool slumped to a surprise second straight loss as Galatasaray pulled off a 1-0 Champions League upset in Istanbul on Wednesday (AEST).
Victor Osimhen scored the winner in the 16th minute after Dominik Szoboszlai fouled Baris Alper Yilmaz in the penalty box.
The Turkey winger made the most of the contact and fell to the turf while clutching his face theatrically.
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Baris Alper Yilmaz goes down. Stan
Some Liverpool fans were incensed but England legend Alan Shearer said referee Clement Turpin had got the decision right.
“It’s just that trailing arm, isn’t it?’ Shearer said in commentary.
“It catches him, just invites him to go down. It catches him and the referee has got a really, really good view of it.”
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Former referee Mark Clattenburg agreed.
“As he goes in to challenge him, his trailing arm catches him in the face and it was a simple decision from a well positioned referee,” he said.
Liverpool had hope in the 88th minute when Turpin awarded them a penalty but VAR correctly scrubbed it off.
Liverpool now have a win and a loss in Europe after beating Atletico Madrid 3-2 in their opener.
Their last start was a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday (AEST).
It is the first time in six months that Arne Slot’s side have suffered back-to-back losses.
Milos Kerkez of Liverpool looks dejected following defeat. Liverpool FC via Getty Images
Liverpool lost goalkeeper Alisson and striker Hugo Ekitike to injury during the match in front of a raucous crowd.
MORE TO COME…