Liverpool and Istanbul have plenty of history when it comes to comebacks – but this time Andoni Iraola’s side got it wrong.
When Alexander Isak, who took the lead for the second time against Fenerbahce, headed home after 69 minutes, Liverpool were on their way to a stunning away win.
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But Iraola’s players then surrendered in a fevered atmosphere as the spirited hosts, led by interim boss Dirk Kuyt, a Liverpool hero of yesteryear, produced a shock Champions League comeback victory.
By losing 3-2 at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Iraola’s visitors created an unwanted piece of history: it was the latest Liverpool to go ahead and then lose in a major European game.
Iraola called the goals they conceded “cheap” and “disorganized”.
As Liverpool saw the three points slip away, Kuyt said his players were using the mentality that had enabled them to achieve so many great achievements in Europe in the past.
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He joined Liverpool in 2006, a year after the team’s famous “Istanbul Miracle” comeback in the Champions League final.
“We told each other to stay together and be one. That’s something I learned from Liverpool,” Kuyt said. “We created a miracle tonight – many did not expect us to win.”
Fenerbahce will remember this for a long time. “Liverpool” will want to forget it quickly.
Having won five games in a row, Iraola’s team lost twice in four days. Arsenal on Sunday, now this.
Coming back from Istanbul, there will be a lot of disappointment that Liverpool didn’t get to see this game.
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“It’s disappointing because it’s a tough place to come and play,” Iraola said. “For most of the game we thought we could win this game. But obviously it didn’t happen.”
All three goals of “Fenerbahce” came from set pieces.
The British scored two goals.
Former Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood had a few chances in the first half when he deflected a free-kick past Jeremy Jacquet to score Fenerbahce’s first equaliser, and Liverpool were only at fault when Cody Gakpo’s header went past Alisson and past Birmingham-born Archie Brown2.
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Six minutes later, Liverpool messed up Brown’s curling ball in the box and Vedat Murigi beat three players in red to slot past Alisson.
“They’re cheap goals. They’re mixed goals,” Iraola said.
“It’s a free-kick. It’s quite far and it goes through the wall.
“Mistakes can cost you. It’s a long throw for the last goal and the first phase is controlled but Murigi wins it after a very long ball.
“The second goal is the goal that Cody Ali touched the ball in front of [Alisson].
“It was almost impossible to communicate because it was so loud in the stadium. It was difficult even for me to give any instructions. I guess communication between Ali and Cody was difficult.”
“Liverpool”, which was ahead of “Fenerbahce” twice, was defeated with a score of 3:2 [Getty Images]
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“They look like they can score at any moment”
After showing signs of real improvement in recent weeks, Liverpool let a potential victory slip away in a worrying manner here.
“It feels like a step backwards from what we saw against Arsenal because everyone thought, OK, we’re seeing big improvements from Liverpool,” said ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, who watched the game for today’s match.
“It was a very changed team. But the simple mistakes they made from set-pieces or simple balls into the box are not good enough.
“The frustrating thing for Liverpool fans is that we all know what the problems are. So where is the solution? Iraola is trying to do that at the moment, but it’s just a matter of how long it takes.
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“The biggest problem is that it continues, Liverpool look like they can concede at any moment and are very open on the counter-attack. There’s a recurring theme of the goals they’re conceding and it cancels out all the good work they’ve done going forward.
“Twice in the Champions League, when you go ahead against Fenerbahce away from home, if it’s Arsenal, they win that game – they see that against a team like Fenerbahce.
“Liverpool don’t have the ability to do that at the moment and that’s what’s really frustrating.”
“We showed Europe how big Fenerbahce is”
Dirk Kuyt was a passionate presence on the Fenerbahce touchline [Getty Images]
On the eve of this game held in Istanbul’s Kadıköy neighborhood, Kuyt spoke passionately about the opportunity to show Fenerbahçe’s true colors to Europe.
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He will now step aside, with former Newcastle player Emre Belözoğlu officially taking over as head coach from Thursday.
Thanks to this night, Europe already knows everything about Fenerbahce.
They’ve had a torrid season, losing four of their 10 league games so far, but Kuyt’s men produced a performance that will live long in the memory of anyone associated with the Turkish side.
“We showed Europe how great Fenerbahce is. This is the spirit of this side,” said Kuyt.
“It is very special that Fenerbahce won for the first time after 18 years. [an English side].
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“Some will remember, but the number on the back of my shirt was 18 at Liverpool. It’s something really special to me personally.
“I told the players the same thing before the game. Although we are in a very difficult situation, we have a chance to bring another miracle in Istanbul. And if you get that miracle, things can change in a positive direction.”
They delivered in style, with 24-year-old former Derby County prospect Brown grabbing a goal and an assist in the second half.
“The Champions League is a great opportunity for Archie to show himself,” said Kuyt.
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“Everyone knows how good a player he is in Turkey. He did a fantastic job today. His defense and attack were very good. I’m very happy with his game, I’m happy with the game of all my players.
“It is a very special night for everyone who loves Fenerbahce.”