Liverpool news: Iraola's rotation backfires as Fenerbahce expose the soft centre

Liverpool fell to their first Champions League defeat of the season, losing 3-2 to Fenerbahce at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on Wednesday. The Reds led twice, through Trey Nyoni and Alexander Isak, but were pegged back each time and lost to Vedat Muriqi's 79th-minute header for Dirk Kuyt's side.

Andoni Iraola made five changes, dropping Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Isak to the bench and playing Bradley Barcola as a centre-forward; the Echo rated Barcola 4/10. Nyoni was the exception, becoming Liverpool's second-youngest Champions League scorer, but the midfield and defence could not hold the lead.

Iraola called the set-piece goals "cheap, messy" and said they were the main reason for the defeat.

Alexander Isak did not hide after the defeat, saying Liverpool's performance was below the standards required and that the team were "lacking" in key moments. Kostas Tsimikas was similarly blunt, admitting the Reds got what they deserved and that a familiar failing cost them in Istanbul.

Stephen Warnock was critical of one Liverpool player for a "soft" goal, while David Lynch described the result as the "worst combination" for Iraola. The mood is not panic, but there is a clear sense that the rotation and the defending from set pieces have to improve quickly.

Stephen Warnock and Guillem Balague believe Liverpool's defensive weaknesses and the experimentation of playing Barcola up front show Andoni Iraola's team are still trying to find their identity. The 3-2 defeat in Istanbul exposed the gap between the attacking talent in the squad and the structure behind it.

The Carabao Cup quarter-final against Bournemouth at Anfield now has confirmed fixture details, and it may offer Iraola a chance to settle his side.