Andoni Iroala has explained why Liverpool opted to play Bradley Barcola as a number nine against Fenerbahce, with Alexander Isak proving his worth immediately after coming on

Andoni Iraola has explained the thinking behind trialing Bradley Barcola as a No. 9 during Liverpool's 3-2 defeat against Fenerbahce in the Champions League.

Barcola was ineffective and struggled to get into the game in Turkiye, with Alexander Isak netting almost as soon as he entered the field, teed up by another substitute in Cody Gakpo. Liverpool didn't create too much going forward, and defended abysmally.

But while the experiment backfired and Barcola toiled, Iraola said the decision was made with managing Isak's minutes in mind, with the Swede currently the only natural senior striker in the absence of Hugo Ekitike.

"We thought that Victor (Munoz) and Rio (Ngumoha) were more fresh, and it was best for Alex to only play 30 minutes," Iraola explained.

"We tried Cody (as a striker) against Chelsea and we wanted to try Bradley today. We thought it could work well because of his speed.

"But he couldn't find the positions to hurt the opposition and he has been better when playing out wide. With Cody and Alex, I think we have been more dangerous."

Liverpool actually found scoring goals fine against Fenerbahce, but couldn't stop the Turkish Super Lig outfit from netting three of its own. The Reds have now let in 10 in the Champions League across four games this term.

"The main reason that I can find for why we lost this game is we conceded from three set pieces," Iraola continued.

"It's something that we were doing very well in the league, we were doing quite well until today. We knew it was one of the strengths of Fenerbahce. We concede from a free-kick, a corner and even from the long throw at the end.

"They're goals have hurt us because we've gone twice in front after having good moments, controlling the game, arriving, we've found the goals but after we've conceded in situations we should definitely defend better.

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"It's frustration because it's a difficult place to come here and play. In most parts of the game we were thinking we could win this one but obviously it hasn't happened.

"Especially the first goal and the third goal — the second one is a rebound — but the first one, I don't think we set the wall properly and the last one, Muriqi wins the ball against three defenders. It's definitely something we need to defend better."