Jamie Carragher called Liverpool's recruitment into question after their 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahce in the Champions League. The Reds were 2-1 up with 20 minutes to play in Istanbul but went on to lose 3-2 in a game where teenagers Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha again starred. Nyoni scored the opener and Alexander Isak hit the second, but Bradley Barcola extended his run of scoring in just one of his 13 appearances for the club so far.
Carragher argued that the squad Liverpool have got is very expensive, but not as good as it should be and not as balanced as it should be. He highlighted that Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha were the best players for Liverpool, playing in positions where the club has spent big money. Bradley Barcola, who cost £120m, played up front tonight, didn't play well, but the younger players are playing better than him.
Carragher pointed out that in Nyoni in midfield; Liverpool haven't spent expensively on a player as such, but they've given big contracts this summer to Ryan Gravenberch and Szoboszlai who played tonight and didn't play particularly well. You can imagine the type of figures they would be on and when a young player in midfield is playing ahead of them that causes a problem about where you've spent your money - and you basically haven't spent your money well enough. Liverpool's spending over the last three seasons shows a heavy investment in 2025/26 with Alexander Isak (£125m), Florian Wirtz (£116m), and others, while 2026/27 includes Bradley Barcola (£123m).
Analysis from Sky Sports' Callum Bishop notes the average age of Liverpool's starting front three was less than 22, while the average age of their defence was just shy of 30. On a European night in a hostile environment, experienced heads were expected to step up, but the opposite was the case. Nineteen-year-old Trey Nyoni stole the scene, becoming the club's second-youngest Champions League goalscorer.
Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz had moments threatening the Fenerbahce backline.
Source: Sky Sports Champions League · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing