Liverpool vs Fenerbahçe, Iraola points to three set pieces

“The main reason that I can find for why we lost this game is we conceded from three set-pieces.” That was Andoni Iraola’s explanation after Liverpool lost 2-3 to Fenerbahçe in the Champions League on 4 November 2026. Liverpool led twice in Istanbul, through Trey Nyoni in the 25th minute and Alexander Isak in the 69th, but still left with nothing.

Iraola’s set-piece diagnosis

Iraola did not spend long looking elsewhere for the reason. He said Liverpool conceded from a free-kick, a corner and a long throw, and added that the side had been defending those situations well in the league until that night.

He also singled out the details. “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 said.

The comeback in Istanbul

Liverpool did have control for long stretches and looked set to take something from the game after going ahead twice. The response from Fenerbahçe came quickly after Isak’s goal, with the equaliser arriving in the 73rd minute and Muriqi’s winner following six minutes later.

That turnaround mattered because Fenerbahçe were 19th in the Champions League standings before kick-off, while Liverpool were fifth. On paper, it looked like the kind of night the visitors should have managed better after twice taking the lead.

Iraola was still left frustrated by how it ended. “In most parts of the game we were thinking we could win this one but obviously it hasn't happened,” he said. Liverpool now have to move on with the set-piece issue sitting front and centre after the trip to Istanbul.