Liverpool conceded 'cheap' and 'messy' goals in their defeat by Fenerbahce, says boss Andoni Iraola, as former Reds hero Dirk Kuyt celebrates a 'miracle' in Istanbul. Having hit the front for a second time against Fenerbahce, when Alexander Isak nodded in after 69 minutes, Liverpool were seemingly on their way to 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 comeback victory.
By losing 3-2 at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium, Iraola's visitors created that unwanted slice of history: this was the latest they have ever gone ahead in a major European game and then been beaten. As Liverpool saw three points slip from their grasp, Kuyt said his players had tapped into the mindset that has allowed the Reds to 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. '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.'.
Source: BBC Sport Football · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing