Virgil van Dijk has admitted Liverpool cannot “lose in the manner” they did at Fenerbahce, warning their defending is “definitely not sustainable”.
The Reds led twice on Wednesday (November 4) and still came away with nothing. Trey Nyoni, 19, opened the scoring in the 25th minute with his first senior goal, Mason Greenwood equalised four minutes later when his free-kick deflected in off Jeremy Jacquet, and Alexander Isak headed in Cody Gakpo’s cross in the 69th minute.
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Archie Brown tapped in on 73 minutes, and Vedat Muriqi beat three defenders to a long throw to win it on 79. It was Fenerbahce’s first Champions League victory since 2008, and Liverpool’s second defeat in three days.
Speaking after the final whistle, he said (via BBC Sport):
“It’s definitely not sustainable. That’s why it’s a very disappointing night for many reasons, but definitely because of the goals we conceded and the manner we conceded them as well. There is work to do.”
He then added:
“Three set-pieces as well. We have been very good at them so far this season, but we switched off and weren’t ready for the first and second balls. It’s a tough one to take.”
Asked whether the result had angered him, the Liverpool captain said:
“Yes, but I didn’t show it because everyone looked disappointed and they have a reason to be. We cannot lose in the manner we did. But we did and it is down to Fenerbahce as well.”
Before Wednesday, Iraola’s side had conceded only one set-piece goal in 14 matches this season. The result also meant a first run of back-to-back defeats under the Spaniard, after Sunday’s 1-0 home loss to Arsenal, and left Liverpool fifth in the Premier League on 15 points from nine games.
Liverpool’s numbers in Istanbul, and the games ahead
The Reds have shipped 10 goals in four Champions League games, two more than they conceded across the whole of last season’s league phase, and an average of 2.5 per game that is their worst in any European Cup or Champions League campaign, according to BBC Sport. It is also the first time they have let in three or more in three successive major European matches.
Iraola called the goals “cheap” and “messy”, pointing to a free-kick through the wall, a corner and the looping cross that Muriqi headed in. Van Dijk’s focus is already on Selhurst Park as the Reds take on Crystal Palace.
That comes on Sunday (November 8) at 2 pm UK time, before Manchester United visit Anfield on November 22 and Liverpool go to Club Brugge on November 25.
Edited by Vignesh Raja
