Another ‘miracle’ in Istanbul – but this one hurt Liverpool

When it comes to comebacks, Liverpool and Istanbul have plenty of history - but this time Andoni Iraola's side made the wrong kind.

After hitting the front for a second time against Fenerbahce, when Alexander Isak nodded in after 69 minutes, Liverpool seemed on track for a thoroughly impressive away win.

But Iraola's players then capitulated amid a febrile atmosphere, as spirited hosts led by interim boss Dirk Kuyt, a Liverpool hero of years gone by, pulled off a shock Champions League comeback win.

By losing 3-2 at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium, Iraola's visitors created that unwanted slice of history: this was the latest Liverpool have ever gone ahead in a major European game and then been beaten.

Iraola described the goals they conceded as "cheap" and "messy".

After Liverpool let three points slip, Kuyt said he had encouraged Fenerbahce's players to embrace the never-say-die mindset that helped the Reds achieve so many great feats in Europe in the past.

He joined Liverpool in 2006, a year after the team's famous 'Miracle of Istanbul' comeback in the Champions League final, and spent six years as a first-team fixture.

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

He and Fenerbahce will remember this one for a long time. Liverpool will want to quickly forget it.

After winning five games in a row, Iraola's side have gone on to lose twice in four days. Arsenal on Sunday, and now this.

On the flight back from Istanbul, there will be plenty of disappointment at the way in which Liverpool failed to see this game out.

"It's frustration because it's a difficult place to come and play," said Iraola. "We were, during most part of the game, thinking we can win this one. But obviously it hasn't happened."

All three of Fenerbahce's goals came from set-pieces.

Former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood benefited from a slice of luck when his free-kick deflected in off Jeremy Jacquet in the first half for Fenerbahce's first equaliser, and Liverpool only had themselves to blame when Cody Gakpo's header took the ball past Alisson and gave Birmingham-born Archie Brown a tap in to make it 2-2.

Six minutes later, Liverpool made a mess of Brown's looping ball in the box and Vedat Muriqi beat three players in red and headed past Alisson.

"They are cheap goals. They are messy goals," said Iraola.

"It's a free-kick. It's quite far also and it's through the wall.

"Mistakes can cost you. For the last goal, it's a long throw and the first phase is controlled but after a very long ball, Muriqi wins it.

"The second goal, Cody is the one touching the ball just in front of Ali [Alisson].

"In the stadium it was almost impossible to communicate because it was so noisy. It was even difficult for me to give any kind of instruction. I suppose the communication between Ali and Cody was difficult."

'They look like they can concede at any moment'

After showing signs of genuine progress in recent weeks, Liverpool let potential victory slip away here in a concerning manner.

Trey Nyoni's first goal for the club gave them an early lead, but Greenwood cancelled it out four minutes later with a deflected reply.

The real drama came from the 69th minute to the 79th, with Liverpool inching ahead again, close to a fourth win in four in the competition, but unable to see the job through.

"It feels like a step back from what we saw against Arsenal because everyone thought, OK, we are seeing huge improvements from Liverpool," said ex-Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, who was watching the game for Match of the Day.

"It was a much-changed team. However, the simple mistakes that they made from set pieces or simple balls into the box are not good enough.

"The frustrating part for Liverpool fans is that we all know what the problems are. So, where is the solution? That's what Iraola is trying to do at the moment, but it's just a question of how long it takes.

"The biggest issue is that this keeps on happening, with Liverpool looking like they can concede at any moment and being so open on the counter-attack. There is a repetitive theme of the goals they are conceding and it undoes all the good work they do when they go forward.

"When you go ahead, twice, away from home at Fenerbahce in the Champions League, then, if that is Arsenal, they win that game - they see it out against a team like Fenerbahce.

"Liverpool don't have the ability to do that at the moment, and that is what is really frustrating."

On the eve of this game in the Kadikoy neighbourhood of Istanbul, Kuyt spoke passionately about how Fenerbahce chance to show Europe their true colours.

He will step aside now, with former Newcastle player Emre Belozoglu taking over as head coach officially from Thursday.

Thanks to this night, Europe now knows all about Fenerbahce.

They have had a torrid season so far, though, having lost four of their 10 league games and taken a 6-0 drubbing at Aston Villa on their travels outside Turkey, but Kuyt's men delivered a performance that will live long in the memory for anyone associated with the club.

"We showed Europe how big Fenerbahce is. This is what the spirit of this side is," said Kuyt.

"I think it's very special that for the first time since 18 years, Fenerbahce win a game against [an English side].

"Some people will remember but the number on the back of my shirt was 18 in Liverpool. So that's something really special for me in person.

"I said exactly the same thing to the players before the game. Although we are in a very difficult situation, we have a chance to bring another miracle in Istanbul. And if you get that miracle, things can change in a positive way."

They delivered in style, with 24-year-old former Derby County prospect Brown getting a goal and an assist in the second half.

"The Champions League is a great opportunity for Archie to show himself," said Kuyt.

"It's well known how good a player he is in Turkey. He did a fantastic job today. His defence and attack were very good. I'm very pleased with his performance, I'm pleased with the performance of all my players.

"It's a very special night for everyone who loves Fenerbahce."