Liverpool's unbeaten European run came to an end after a 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahce, with manager Andoni Iraola pointing to defensive mistakes from set-pieces as the main reason behind the loss. Despite taking the lead twice, the Reds struggled to contain the hosts' threats from dead-ball situations.
Key Highlights:
- Liverpool suffered a 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahce, ending their unbeaten European record this season.
- Iraola blamed three set-piece goals, including a free-kick, corner and long throw, for Liverpool's defensive shortcomings.
- Trey Nyoni scored his first Liverpool goal, while Alexander Isak also found the net after coming off the bench.
- Vedat Muriqi completed Fenerbahce's comeback, leaving Liverpool with six consecutive defeats in Turkey.
Set-Piece Struggles Cost Liverpool Against Fenerbahce
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola was left frustrated by his team's defensive performance after they conceded three goals from set-piece situations in a 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahce. The result ended Liverpool's unbeaten run in Europe this season, with Iraola identifying their inability to defend dead-ball situations as the biggest factor behind the loss.
Speaking after the match, the Spaniard admitted that Liverpool had previously handled set-pieces well in the league but failed to maintain that standard in Istanbul. "The main reason that I can find for why we lost this game is we conceded from three set pieces. It's something that we were doing very well in the league, we were doing quite well until today," Iraola explained.
He added that Liverpool had been aware of Fenerbahce's strength in these situations but still failed to deal with them effectively. The three goals came from a free-kick, a corner and a long throw, undoing Liverpool's efforts after they had taken the lead twice.
Kuyt and Iraola Experience a Chaotic Night in Istanbul
The match was also a memorable occasion for Liverpool legend Dirk Kuyt, who took charge of Fenerbahce as interim head coach before Emre Belozoglu's permanent appointment on Thursday. Kuyt's side featured several familiar names, including former Premier League players Ederson, N'Golo Kante and Romelu Lukaku.
Liverpool, meanwhile, made changes following their weekend defeat to Arsenal. Bradley Barcola was handed a starting role through the middle, while Trey Nyoni featured in midfield. The visitors made a positive start when Nyoni opened the scoring with a deflected volley that beat Ederson.
The goal marked the 19-year-old's first for Liverpool and made him the first Reds player to score in Turkey since Kuyt in 2010. However, Fenerbahce quickly responded through Mason Greenwood, whose free-kick took a deflection off Jeremy Jacquet before wrong-footing Alisson Becker.
Liverpool's Substitutions Fail to Prevent Fenerbahce Comeback
Looking to regain control and find a winner, Iraola brought on Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak from the bench. The changes initially paid off when Gakpo combined with Isak to restore Liverpool's advantage, with the Swedish striker heading home to make it 2-1.
However, Liverpool's defensive problems resurfaced just four minutes later. Gakpo inadvertently flicked Kante's cross into a dangerous area, allowing Archie Brown to tap in the equaliser as Alisson was left stranded.
Fenerbahce then completed their comeback through Brown, who delivered a cross into the penalty area that Liverpool failed to clear. Vedat Muriqi rose above the defenders to head home the winning goal, sending the home supporters into celebration.
Reflecting on the result, Iraola admitted that Liverpool had shown enough quality to win but ultimately failed to manage the important moments. "It's frustration because it's a difficult place to come here and play. In most parts of the game we were thinking we could win this one but obviously it hasn't happened," he said.
Iraola Targets Defensive Improvements After Liverpool Defeat
The defeat continued Liverpool's difficult record in Turkey, where they have now suffered six consecutive losses despite their historic 2005 Champions League triumph in Istanbul. For Iraola, the post-match focus will be on correcting the defensive mistakes that allowed Fenerbahce to turn the game around.
The Liverpool manager was particularly critical of how his team defended the first and third goals, while acknowledging that the second came from a rebound.
"Especially the first goal and the third goal - the second one is a rebound - but the first one, I don't think we set the wall properly and the last one, Muriqi wins the ball against three defenders, it's definitely something we need to defend better," he concluded.
