Liverpool’s defending cost them against Fenerbahce. Andoni Iraola’s team lost their 100% Champions League record.
Iraola described the goals conceded as “cheap” and “messy”. He also pointed to the noise levels inside the Istanbul stadium, saying it was difficult for him to give instructions. It was also difficult for Cody Gakpo and Alisson to communicate, said Iraola, which led to Fenerbahce’s second goal in the 3-2 defeat.
Three conceded
Trey Nyoni had given Liverpool the lead with a deflected volley, but Fenerbahce were soon threatening, hitting the bar when they should perhaps have scored.
Just two minutes later, the home side scored from a deflected freekick. Dominik Szoboszlai made a sloppy foul when Liverpool had men covering. The wall jumped and turned their backs; the misguided freekick crashed off Jérémy Jacquet and away from Alisson. Iraola was not happy with the way the wall was set up.
Liverpool went 2-1 ahead when Cody Gakpo put in a good left-footed cross for Alexander Isak to score with a header off the bench.
Fenerbahce quickly equalised again, taking a short to set up Archie Brown for a simple finish when Alisson was caught out of position.
The comeback was complete when Vedat Muriqi scored from a cross that followed an attacking throw-in. Iraola bemoaned the fact that he beat three Liverpool players to the ball. None of Nyoni, Jacquet and Alexis Mac Allister jumped.
It was Liverpool’s second defeat in a row after the league loss to Arsenal. The Guardian’s Andy Hunter called Bradly Barcola “anonymous”, though the attacker was unlucky not to score with a header in the first half.
Liverpool’s away form
Before the Fenerbahce match, Liverpool had won 2-1 at home to Atletico Madrid and 4-3 at home to Villarreal. Between those games was the biggest away win of their season yet: a 6-3 thumping of Austrian side LASK.
Liverpool’s away form in the Premier League has been particularly impressive. After drawing 2-2 with Newcastle, they beat Ipswich, Bournemouth, and Brentford on the road. Liverpool were widely seen as favourites for the trip to Crystal Palace. On the same platform that hosts online casino Ghana, Liverpool were priced at 1.58 two days before the match.
Two reasons to be cheerful after the loss
The happiest Liverpool player on the night might have been Nyoni, who scored his first professional goal. It is a breakthrough season for the young midfielder, whose one start last season came in the League Cup.
Despite the defeat, Liverpool were still in the top 8 of the Champions League league phase after four matchweeks.
They have a trip to Club Brugge, who have started strongly in Europe, in late November. The Belgian side showed their fighting spirit with an away win at PSV. Carlos Forbs got the winner in a lightning quick counterattack.
Liverpool then play Porto at home in December. They travel to Inter and host Lens in January.
This is Iraola’s first season in the Champions League. As a player with Athletic Bilbao, he was a runner-up in the Europa League in 2012.