We’re starting to learn some hard truths about Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool team, who lost yet again in Turkey.
It’s five defeats from six trips to the Mediterranean nation and is another bleak commentary on Liverpool’s defensive frailties, which have continued since last season. Liverpool have scored three goals in three consecutive Champions League games.
OK, OK – Liverpool’s chances of reaching the final stages of the Champions League haven’t been dealt a serious blow, but there’s no denying that Iraola has his work cut out for this side to look anything like their title rivals.
What we learned about Iraola’s Liverpool
Iraola has now lost three times against Liverpool and Fenerbahce suffered their first away defeat against the Reds this season. There is no doubt that this is a season of transition for the club, but at the same time, things must improve.
Likewise, Liverpool have one of the most expensive sides in world football, albeit one that lacks synergy and understanding and lacks the kind of quality needed to challenge for the Premier League and Champions League titles.
Trey Nyoni was once again the bright spark, but the 19-year-old can’t be expected to start every week for Liverpool. Still learning. FSG have refused to sign a central midfielder this summer, but resolving that could be a priority in January.
Why, supporters may ask, is Kostas Tsimikas starting Champions League games for Liverpool in 2026? The Greek left-back has been a weak point throughout the season, but his alternative is Milos Kerkez, who is also flattering to deceive.
We are learning a lot about this team. They need a midfielder, really good and able to thrive in the double corner, create play by adding some combative defense and complement the likes of Nyoni and Dominik Szoboszlai. They also need more security at the back and more quality in attack.
One thing is for sure: Liverpool cannot afford to drop points against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday. It is not yet known how exactly Iraola will build his team, but it is likely that Florian Wirtz will be recalled to the starting line-up.
Why is Florian Wirtz beating Liverpool?
Wirtz, 23, has failed to hit the heights for Liverpool since joining them from Bayer Leverkusen in 2025 for £116m. In fact, an argument could be made that Liverpool’s midfield solidity and build-up play have deteriorated since the German was introduced to the starting line-up.
He’s certainly talented, but Liverpool just aren’t getting his money’s worth. After Arne Slott’s system collapsed last year, Iraola struggled to get a tune out of him, leaving Wirtz unsure and unsure of his qualities.
Wirtz did not start against Fenerbahce and was not to blame for the defensive collapse in Istanbul despite being on the pitch in the final quarter. Even so, his usual neat touches failed to translate into anything significant. He failed to provide the spark Liverpool thought they were paying when they shelled out the nine-figure fee.
There is a diametric polarity between Wirtz’s ability to create chances and his lack of spark for Liverpool.
Most chances created in the Premier League (25/26) | ||
|---|---|---|
Player | Chances were created | to 90 |
Pascal Gross | 24 | 2.7 |
Florian Wirtz | 22 | 2.8 |
Morgan Gibbs-Whit | 21 | 2.6 |
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall | 21 | 2.4 |
Alex Iwobi | 20 | 2.4 |
Maxim De Kuyper | 20 | 2.4 |
This is unacceptable and symptomatic of the plague that has prevented Liverpool’s frontline from performing as an elite force. Wirtz, unfortunately, is not the only superstar who is miles away from the expected standard.
The Liverpool transfer turns out to be a bigger failure than Wirtz
Wirtz is running out of time. If his performance doesn’t improve by the end of the season, why is he persistently hammering the same nail against the wall?
He has less time, but already Bradley Barcola is struggling to justify his price tag for Liverpool. This summer, Liverpool’s marquee addition joined for £123m but has a long way to go to establish himself as successful, loose and ineffective.
As James Pearce of The Athletic said, “Barcola has to give Liverpool more here. He really fought tonight.” That’s true, and ardent supporters would point to Barcola’s temporary role at centre-forward as the reason for his lackluster effort, but he hasn’t hit the right notes in his other 11 appearances in a Red shirt this season, putting aside a hat-trick against LASK.
Moreover, Barcola was actually pushed aside for the last 25 minutes. He was still struggling, still lacking the focus and will to win, which could have benefited Liverpool, who sacked their old manager less than two months ago and fell and fell for a Fenerbahce side that finished sixth in the Turkish Super League.
Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool Player Ratings | |
|---|---|
Player | # |
Alisson Becker | 6/10 |
Joe Gomez | 6/10 |
Jeremy Jacquet | 5/10 |
Virgil van Dijk | 5/10 |
Kostas Tsimikas | 3/10 |
Alexis McAllister | 6/10 |
Trey Nyoni | 8/10 |
Victor Munoz | 5/10 |
Dominic Szoboszlai | 5/10 |
Ngumoha River | 7/10 |
Bradley Barkola | 3/10 |
Barcola, 24, was wasteful, missing two great chances on the evening. He also only attempted one dribble, which he failed to finish, and won just one floor battle.
The Les Bleus forward, best known for his work at PSG, played the full 90 games but still managed just 30 touches for the Liverpool side. That’s 11 fewer than Alisson between the sticks. The Brazilian goalkeeper had a poor game in Turkey.
It’s not good enough, and even the French striker is not out of place as he struggles for form in a Liverpool system crying out for inspiration.
Could we be looking at the club’s next Wirtz? Unfortunately, that is hardly out of the question for a Liverpool side whose reputation as transfer specialists is once in tatters.