Liverpool’s defensive breakdown against Fenerbahce leaves Iraola frustrated

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola said his side conceded three “naive” and “chaotic” goals in their 3-2 defeat by Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday.

The result, in the fourth round of the league phase, was Liverpool’s first defeat in this season’s competition. It also marked their second successive loss, following a 1-0 home defeat by Arsenal.

Liverpool have now conceded three goals in each of their past three Champions League matches. They remain on nine points and are eighth in the table.

Iraola said all three goals could have been prevented, although he accepted the atmosphere at the stadium had made communication difficult.

“All three goals could have been avoided, but perhaps it was because of the noisy atmosphere,” he said after the match. “They were naive goals. Chaotic goals.”

The Liverpool manager added, as reported by the Daily Mail: “Communication on the pitch was almost impossible, and it was difficult for me to give instructions.”

He was particularly disappointed that Liverpool had allowed Fenerbahce to score three times from set-piece situations, despite having defended such moments effectively in the league.

“It is something we had been doing very well in the league,” Iraola said. “We had been doing it very well until today.”

Liverpool were aware that set pieces were one of Fenerbahce’s strengths, but still conceded from three different types of delivery.

“We knew it was one of Fenerbahce’s strengths,” Iraola said. “We conceded from a free-kick, a corner and, in the end, even a long throw-in.”