Iraola blames set pieces as Liverpool lose 3-2 to Fenerbahce

Andoni Iraola said Liverpool’s failure to defend set pieces was the decisive factor in their 3-2 defeat by Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

Liverpool conceded three times from dead-ball situations in the fourth round of the league phase of the Champions League. The result left them fifth on nine points, although their final position will depend on the remaining matches in the round.

“The main reason for our defeat was conceding three goals from set pieces,” Iraola said after the match.

Fenerbahce had been identified as a threat from such situations before kick-off, but Liverpool were unable to contain them. They conceded from a free-kick, a corner and, late in the game, a long throw-in.

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

The defeat denied Liverpool a positive result from a match in which Iraola felt his side had shown enough to win for long periods.

“It is frustrating because it is difficult to play here,” he said. “For most of the match, we felt we were capable of winning, but that did not happen.”

Fenerbahce moved up 12 places to 19th after claiming five points, while Dirk Kuyt guided the Turkish side to their first victory of the season in the Champions League.