Iraola blames set-piece goals after Fenerbahce loss

Liverpool lost 3-2 to Fenerbahce in the Champions League on Wednesday, and head coach Andoni Iraola said set-piece goals were the main reason for the defeat in Istanbul.

The Reds led twice at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium, through goals from Trey Nyoni and substitute Alexander Isak. The hosts equalised through Mason Greenwood and Archie Brown, before a Vedat Muriqi header decided the match.

"The main reason I can find to lose the game is we conceded [from] three set-pieces. It's something that we were doing very well in the league," Iraola said after the game. "We knew it was one of the strengths of Fenerbahce, but we concede from a free-kick, from a corner, even from the long throw at the end."

Iraola singled out the first and third goals and said Liverpool did not set the wall properly. He described the defeat as frustrating, as the team believed for most of the game that it could win.

Iraola also defended his decision to make five changes to his starting line-up. "I think we have been dealing well with these rotations. I trust the squad to sustain the level," he said.

Liverpool sit fifth in the Premier League with 15 points from nine matches.