Liverpool’s perfect start to their Champions League campaign came to an abrupt halt as they blew two leads in a 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahce in Istanbul.
Goals from 19-year-old Trey Nyoni and Alexander Isak had twice put Liverpool in front, but poor defending saw them hold the lead for just four minutes before the hosts completed a late comeback, with Andoni Iraola left to score “loose” and “sloppy” goals.
Iraola made five changes to the side that lost to Arsenal three days ago, opting to rest several big names including Isak and Florian Wirtz.
One of those who remained in the starting XI was Nyoni and he wrote another chapter in his advancing season as Ederson wrong-footed a deflected volley and into the net for his first professional goal.
That advantage was cut short when Mason Greenwood’s free-kick crashed against Jeremy Jacquet and left Alisson just as stranded as his Brazilian counterpart moments earlier.
Isak, Wirtz and Cody Gakpo were sent in search of the lead and were rewarded almost immediately. Gakpo’s cross gave Isak a free-kick inside the six-yard box and the Swede applied the finishing touch with his first touch after being introduced.
It was deja vu for the Reds, however, as miscommunication at the back between Gakpo and Alisson allowed former Birmingham academy graduate Archie Brown to score another instant equaliser. The defense was even worse as the home side took the lead shortly after when a high cross was headed home by Vedat Muriqi.
Nyoni appears dejected after Fenerbahçe equalized for the second time
The result is Liverpool’s first defeat of their European campaign, halfway through eight games in the league stage. Meanwhile, ex-Red Dirk Kuyt orchestrates Fenerbahçe’s first win of their Champions League season.
Key moments from Sukru Saracoglu….
4: WIDE! Jacquet’s header goes just past the post.
21: CHANCE! Barcola can’t get a touch on Gomez’s teasing cross.
25: GOAL! Nyoni puts Liverpool ahead with his first goal for the club.
27: BAR! Kahveci hits the crossbar as Fenerbahce almost finds an immediate equaliser.
29: GOAL! Greenwood’s free-kick goes wide of Jacquet’s deflection.
37: WIDE! Barcola’s header just misses the far post.
45: SAVE IT! Alisson needs to make smart stops to keep the game level.
56: SAVE IT! Barcola denied Ederson at the near post.
57: SAVE IT! Van Dijk sees a free header towards Ederson.
69: GOAL! Super-sub Isak scores with the first touch to restore the lead.
73: GOAL! Shuffle in the back as Brown equalises.
79: GOAL! Muriqi completes the turnaround.
Iraola laments the loose and sloppy goals as the groups chase the Reds
Liverpool HEAD Andoni Iraola speaking in his post-match press conference:
“Free kicks. Messy goals. The free kick is quite far, through the wall. The last goal was a long shot, the second Cody (Gakpo) touched the ball just in front of Ali (keeper Alisson).
“In the stadium it was almost impossible to communicate, it was difficult for me to give instructions and communication was difficult between Cody and Ali.
“We conceded a free kick, a corner, a long shot and it hurt us,” added Iraola. “We came forward twice, we conceded in situations with which we should definitely have done better (with).
“It’s disappointing because it’s a tough place to play and for most of the game we thought we could win this.
“The first time we didn’t place the wall properly, the last time when he jumps he wins the ball against three defenders.
“I think before we scored the goals we had very good moments with the ball, very good attacking situations. The thing is we conceded almost immediately.
“We’ve dealt with these situations well so far. It’s cost us. We have to do better.”
Youthful attack frustrated by experienced defense
Analysis from Sky Sports’ Callum Bishop:
The average age of Liverpool’s three main players was less than 22 years old. The average age of their defense was only 30 years.
On a European night and in a hostile environment, you’d expect experienced heads to rise. But the opposite happened in Istanbul.
Liverpool’s defense was overwhelmed with three set-pieces
Nineteen-year-old Trey Nyoni stole the show on the night when he became the Reds’ second-youngest goalscorer in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz had their moments threatening the Fenerbahçe backline.
However, at the back, Liverpool looked stuck in the mud. The wall condition for Fenerbahçe’s first was well below and Jacquet paid the price with the deflection. The scoring and miscommunication leading up to the second was also shocking to watch.
But the third was the biggest failure. With the ball high in the sky, Muriqi got away from Van Dijk, beat three static red shirts and headed past Alisson, who looked stuck in the mud.
If Iraola was looking for an answer after the defeat at the Emirates, he would have believed the bottom five were the leading lights within one. Instead, they are the reason he has suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since taking the hot seat at Anfield.
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