Manager Kenny Dalglish is still having a nightmare of a pre-season, with more eyebrows being raised about his belief in a young squad.

On July 28, he named a youthful-looking squad for Liverpool's journey to Turkey, and the starting XI contained the likes of John Flanagan, Jack Robinson, Jonjo Shelvey, and Martin Kelly.

However, ex-Liverpool star Milan Baros scored twice against his former club as the Reds slipped to a 3-0 defeat in Istanbul.

The ex-Reds forward netted a brace in a dominant first-half display by the hosts at the boisterous Turk Telekom Arena.

First, Baros hooked a volley beyond Alexander Doni to break the deadlock on eight minutes before converting with a close-range header just before half-time.

Liverpool posed more of a threat in a much improved second-half display, though they were unable to breach the Galatasaray rearguard and Johan Elmander's late volley ensured the Turkish side claimed victory.

There was a more experienced feel to the attack, though, with Andy Carroll partnered by Joe Cole, while Sotirios Kyrgiakos captained the side.

New signings Charlie Adam, Stewart Downing and Jordan Henderson remained on Merseyside ahead of Monday's trip to Norway.

Dalglish opted to introduce Dirk Kuyt and Alberto Aquilani into the equation during the interval, as well as Brad Jones, and there were signs of an improved showing in the early stages of the second period as Carroll saw a header parried by substitute Ufuk Ceylan.

The introduction of Kuyt and Aquilani helped Liverpool take the game by the scruff of the neck, and the pair combined brilliantly only to see the latter's effort thwarted by a fine save by Gala's goalkeeper.

Liverpool in their pre-season games have already been routed 3-0 by Championship club Hull City, although in a friendly.

Stewart Downing, Jordan Henderson and Alexander Doni all played in that lacklustre display.

Dalglish made 11 changes at half-time, sending on former Aston Villa winger Downing and former Sunderland midfielder Henderson for their first appearances and also introducing Andy Carroll and Charlie Adam.

But those four, who cost Liverpool a combined £83 million, couldn’t halt Hull’s momentum. 

All eyes continue to be on who else Dalglish brings in with Newcastle rebel Jose Enrique said to be part of the plan. 

The Reds have splashed out £49 million on midfielders this summer, bringing in Stewart Downing from Aston Villa, Sunderland’s Jordan Henderson and Blackpool’s Charlie Adam. 

That spending spree has created a glut of middle men on Merseyside, with the new boys joining Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Raul Meireles, Christian Poulsen, Maxi Rodriguez, Jonjo Shelvey, Jay Spearing and Milan Jovanovic. 

The Reds have also snapped up Mexican whizkid striker Marcos Bueno from Pachuca.