Liverpool were beaten 3-2 by Fenerbahce on matchday four of the Champions League group stage after twice taking the lead and conceding all three goals from set pieces.
Andoni Iraola said Liverpool’s passing had been effective, but the team could not cope with one of Fenerbahce’s main strengths and ultimately paid the price for repeated defensive lapses.
“It’s complicated, because we conceded three goals from three set pieces,” Iraola said after the match. “We’ve always handled these situations well before, but today there were gaps in our wall. For the last goal, Vedat Muriqi jumped between three of our players and won the header.”
Fenerbahce’s second goal also followed a Liverpool clearance, while the other two came from a corner, a free-kick delivered from a wide position and a long throw-in.
Iraola said the defeat was particularly disappointing because Liverpool had worked hard to move in front on two occasions.
“In the end, we lost the match, which is a shame because we worked hard to take the lead, and we did it twice,” he said. “I think our passing game was good, but we couldn’t defend against Fenerbahce’s set pieces, which are one of their strengths.”
Asked how he would address the performance with his players, Iraola acknowledged that the situations were difficult but insisted Liverpool had opportunities to defend them more effectively.
“We have to acknowledge that the opponent scored three goals against us from set pieces,” he said. “These situations were complex, but each time we could have done better.”
He said Liverpool’s wall should have remained in position rather than turning, while the defence needed to challenge more strongly for the header that led to Muriqi’s goal.
“The wall could have held its ground instead of turning, and for the last goal, we could have contested the header better,” Iraola added. “The second goal was probably more down to a rebound, which was difficult to deal with, but each time we could have done better.”
Liverpool had been aware that set pieces represented a significant threat before the game, making the nature of the goals conceded an area for particular reflection.
“We must reflect on this, because we knew that set pieces are one of Fenerbahce’s threats,” Iraola said.
Despite the Champions League defeat, Iraola said Liverpool’s immediate priority was their Premier League campaign. The team have dropped several points at the start of the season and are fifth in the Premier League.
“What matters to us now is the league, picking up points in the league,” he said.
Liverpool’s next fixture is an away match against Crystal Palace, which Iraola described as a crucial game before the international break.
