Liverpool’s nightmare week went from bad to worse in Istanbul as Ilkay Gundogan made a revelation that left Reds fans fuming.

The reigning Premier League champions were already reeling from a dramatic weekend loss to Crystal Palace, and their trip to Galatasaray piled on more misery. A first-half penalty from Victor Osimhen — awarded after Dominik Szoboszlai was judged to have caught Baris Alper Yilmaz with a high arm — sealed a 1-0 defeat. To add to the chaos, goalkeeper Alisson Becker and forward Hugo Ekitike both limped off with injuries amid a deafening atmosphere inside Rams Park.

Galatasaray’s supporters are famed for creating one of the most hostile environments in Europe, and it seems even Liverpool’s stars weren’t fully prepared. Speaking to Amazon Prime Video after the match, Gundogan admitted that one of Liverpool’s players actually approached him mid-game with a surprising question.

> “If you were here tonight and experienced the atmosphere… one of their players asked me during the game if it’s always like this,” Gundogan revealed.

The interviewer was stunned, asking for clarification, to which the former Manchester City midfielder replied:

> “Yes, a Liverpool player. I won’t mention names, but you could see it was incredible for them to play in front of that crowd.”

The revelation sparked debate online, with former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge looking visibly baffled when hearing the story on live coverage. Fans on social media were equally unimpressed, blasting the unnamed player for being distracted rather than focused on the match.

One angry supporter posted: “Whoever asked this should be sent there permanently. Embarrassing.”
Another added: “You play at Anfield, one of the greatest football arenas in the world, and you’re thrown off by whistles? Weak.”

Liverpool, who have now lost back-to-back matches for the first time under new boss Arne Slot, will be desperate to bounce back quickly. They face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge this weekend before hosting Manchester United after the international break, with a tricky Champions League trip to Eintracht Frankfurt looming on the horizon.