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Andoni Iraola blasts Liverpool stars for 'cheap and messy' defeat at Fenerbahce

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola blasted his ‘cheap and messy’ side after they fell to a 3-2 defeat at Fenerbahce.

Former cult hero Dirk Kuyt was in the dugout as two Englishmen – Mason Greenwood and Archie Brown – scored for the Turkish giants to cancel out Trey Nyoni and Alexander Isak’s strikes before Vedat Muriqi headed home a winner.

All three goals were avoidable but may have been due to the deafening atmosphere and Iraola said: ‘(They were) cheap goals. Messy goals.

‘The free-kick is quite far out, through the wall. The last goal was a long throw, the second one Cody (Gakpo) touched the ball just in front of Alisson.

‘In the stadium it was almost impossible to communicate, it was difficult for me to give instructions and the communication was difficult between Cody and Ali.’

Iraola also stressed his frustration with his team conceding three from set-pieces, saying: '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.'

Tonight's loss was Liverpool's second in as many games but first in the Champions League this season
Tonight's loss was Liverpool's second in as many games but first in the Champions League this season 
Vedat Muriqi's 79th minute header sealed the victory for Fenerbahce
Vedat Muriqi's 79th minute header sealed the victory for Fenerbahce

Liverpool full-back Kostas Tsimikas also had some criticisms of the Reds defensive performance as he said: 'We didn't defend after the goal we conceded. After three or four minutes, automatically, we conceded another goal. I think we have to mark better if we want to win games.'

Meanwhile Kuyt, who played 285 times for the Reds, said: ‘It was a very special night for everyone who loves Fenerbahce. I have to give a very big compliment to the players and the staff who keep pushing them.

‘We told each other to stick together and be united. That’s something I learned from Liverpool, who we played against. We made a miracle tonight, not many expected us to win.’

It was Liverpool’s second straight defeat after the 1-0 reverse at home to Arsenal and the third Champions League game on the bounce where they have conceded three goals.

The result was also the third defeat in Istanbul in 13 months, extending Liverpool's miserable run in Turkey since their 2005 Champions League final heroics.

Iraola's side travel to Crystal Palace on Sunday.

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