Iraola blames crowd noise as Liverpool lose 3-2 at Fenerbahçe

What happened

Andoni Iraola said the deafening noise at the Chobani Stadium made communication almost impossible as his Liverpool side lost 3-2 to Fenerbahçe in the Champions League, according to a report by MARCA. The Spanish coach pointed to the atmosphere as a factor in the Turkish team's second goal, scored by Archie Brown, and described the goals his team conceded as gifts and scrambled efforts. The defeat was Liverpool's second in four days, following five consecutive wins.

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Iraola said his side conceded three goals from set pieces and expressed frustration at a ground he called very difficult to play at. He explained that the free-kick goal came from a considerable distance and passed through the wall, while the last goal followed a long throw-in. For the second, he said Cody Gakpo touched the ball right in front of Alisson. He added that it was almost impossible to communicate in the stadium because of the deafening noise, making it hard for him to give instructions and complicating communication between Gakpo and Alisson. Iraola said set-piece defending had been going well in the Premier League until this match, and that the team knew set pieces were one of Fenerbahçe's strengths. He said he felt frustration because for most of the match he believed Liverpool could win.

Liverpool defender Kostas Tsimikas said the defence was not at its best, noting that the team did not defend well after conceding and then shipped another goal immediately three or four minutes later. He said the team must defend better if it wants to win matches. Fenerbahçe were coached on an interim basis by Dirk Kuyt, a former Liverpool favourite, until the arrival of Emre Belozoglu, a former Atlético player. Kuyt said the night had produced a miracle, that few expected his side to win, and that it was a special night for everyone who loves Fenerbahçe. He praised the players and staff for continuing to push them, and said the message was to stay united and together, something he learned at Liverpool, their opponent on the night.