Liverpool reaction: Iraola rues ‘cheap, messy’ goals after Fenerbahce defeat

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Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola blamed avoidable set-piece errors for the 3-2 defeat at Fenerbahce, while defending the five changes he made to his starting line-up.

The visitors twice led in Istanbul through Trey Nyoni and Alexander Isak, but surrendered their perfect Champions League record as Archie Brown and Vedat Muriqi scored late goals.

For Iraola, the decisive issue was how Liverpool defended situations they had prepared for.

Liverpool punished by three set-piece goals

“Cheap goals. Messy goals,” Iraola said after the match, in comments reported by The 42.

Mason Greenwood’s first-half equaliser came from a free-kick. Brown then levelled following a corner before Muriqi headed the winner during an attack that began with a throw-in.

Iraola questioned the organisation of the wall for the first goal and Liverpool’s failure to deal with Muriqi despite having defenders around him for the third.

Nyoni’s first senior goal and Isak’s contribution from the bench had twice put Liverpool in control of the scoreline. Neither advantage lasted.

Andoni Iraola defends Liverpool rotation

Iraola rejected the suggestion that his selection changes were the main explanation for the defeat.

“I trust the squad to sustain the level,” he said, according to This Is Anfield.

He argued that Liverpool’s schedule requires changes between matches and pointed to the quality of their attacking moments. His assessment placed the emphasis on individual defensive situations rather than the number of players rested.

Our Fenerbahce vs Liverpool confirmed line-ups detail the changes made in Istanbul.

What comes next for Liverpool?

Liverpool remain on nine points from four Champions League games. Their attention now turns to Sunday’s Premier League visit to Crystal Palace.

The immediate challenge is to prevent another defeat after losses to Arsenal and Fenerbahce. Iraola has made clear where he believes the improvement must begin: defending the moments that allowed a winning position to slip away twice.

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