Liverpool fell to a 3-2 defeat away at Fenerbahce on November 4, conceding three preventable goals from set pieces shortly after taking the lead in each half. The result leaves Andoni Iraola's side without a win in regulation time in four games, with momentum unravelling ahead of a trip to Crystal Palace on November 8.
Set-Piece Concessions Prove Costly
Iraola pointed to Liverpool's defending from set pieces as the main reason for the loss. "The main reason that I can find for why we lost this game is we conceded from three set-pieces," he said. "It's something that we were doing very well in the league, we were doing quite well until today. We knew it was one of the strengths of Fenerbahce. We concede from a free-kick, a corner and even from the long throw at the end."
The manager highlighted specific errors on the first and third goals, noting the wall was not set properly for the first and that Vedat Muriqi won the ball against three defenders for the third. "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, [Vedat] Muriqi wins the ball against three defenders, it's definitely something we need to defend better," he added.
Despite the set-piece focus, Fenerbahce's 1.78 xG (expected goals) included 0.98 from open play, with Irfan Kahveci hitting the bar in a fast break shortly after Liverpool went 1-0 up. Liverpool's defensive pattern on the right side raised alarms, with Joe Gomez filling in at right-back and struggling against Fenerbahce's left-flank attacks, particularly Archie Brown, who scored and assisted.
Rotation and Attacking Struggles
Iraola rotated in wide areas and attack, bringing in Kostas Tsimikas, Joe Gomez, Rio Ngumoha, Victor Munoz Villanueva and Dominik Szoboszlai. Bradley Barcola, deployed as a central striker for the first time, failed to convince, touching the ball just twice in the penalty area in the first half. Liverpool's 29 open-play crosses found little success, with only one meeting Barcola's head.
Former Liverpool player Dirk Kuyt, in temporary charge at Fenerbahce, set his side up for a physical battle. His introduction of Muriqi off the bench proved decisive, with the Kosovar continuing to trouble Jacquet, who won just two of five aerial duels. Fenerbahce's use of the left flank in attack rose from 19% in the first half to 45% in the second.
Nyoni Stands Out Amid Defeat
Trey Nyoni was a standout, completing 87 of 95 passes, the most among any player on the pitch, and making more line-breaking passes (33) than any other player in this round of Champions League fixtures. He also made the most defensive contributions (six), interceptions (three) and recoveries (nine) among Liverpool's outfielders, scoring his first senior goal. Rio Ngumoha also impressed with 7/10 successful dribbles.
Liverpool had 67.6% possession but made just one ball recovery in the attacking half all game. The team lacked cutting edge up front and conviction in the press, with individuals errors and breakdowns in communication at play for each Fenerbahce goal. Iraola acknowledged the difficulty of the venue, saying, "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."
