Liverpool have no time to feel sorry for themselves after a miserable night in Istanbul. Sunday’s trip to Crystal Palace is now a huge test of character for Andoni Iraola and his players.
Two defeats in succession are disappointing enough, but the manner of the 3-2 loss to Fenerbahçe was particularly frustrating. Liverpool led twice, conceded three goals from set-pieces and came away with nothing.
I want to see a completely different Liverpool at Selhurst Park. Not just a better result, but a performance full of energy, commitment and determination.
The supporters deserve a response, and the players need to show that Wednesday night’s embarrassment was a one-off rather than another sign of deeper problems.
The Fenerbahçe performance simply wasn’t good enough
There is losing a difficult away match in Europe, and then there is the way Liverpool surrendered this one.
Trey Nyoni gave the Reds the lead before Fenerbahçe equalised. Alexander Isak then came off the bench and immediately put Liverpool back in front, only for the home side to score twice more and take all three points.
The biggest concern was the defending.
Liverpool conceded from a free-kick, a corner and a long throw. Three situations where the team should have been much better organised and much more aggressive.
How can you expect to win matches at this level when you repeatedly switch off at set-pieces?
Virgil van Dijk was clearly unhappy afterwards, admitting that the team could not afford to lose in that manner. He was right.
It wasn’t just about the result. It was the lack of concentration and authority when Liverpool needed to protect their lead.
And after the Arsenal defeat at Anfield, these performances are beginning to raise more questions.
Iraola needs his players to show some character
I have been defending Iraola because I believe he needs time to build his own Liverpool team.
I still believe that.
But patience does not mean ignoring performances that are nowhere near the required standard.
The manager has to take responsibility for his decisions, but the players need to look at themselves as well.
Too many have been inconsistent, and Liverpool have lacked the intensity and organisation that should be expected from a team representing this club.
I want to see players fighting for every ball, making themselves available and showing the desire to win their individual battles.
We cannot keep waiting until we are behind or chasing a result before showing any urgency.
That has to change.
Crystal Palace will not make it easy
Selhurst Park can be an uncomfortable place to visit, and Palace will see this as an opportunity to take advantage of Liverpool’s recent struggles.
They have had their own difficulties, but that does not mean this will be straightforward. Liverpool will need to be prepared for a competitive afternoon and cannot afford to give their opponents cheap opportunities.
Iraola has already made it clear that he wants a response. He knows the importance of going into the international break with a positive result rather than allowing the losing run to continue.
This is precisely the sort of match where Liverpool need to show their character.
Get the team selection right and play players in their best positions
I also want to see Iraola get his selection right.
There were decisions against Fenerbahçe that I questioned, particularly playing Bradley Barcola through the middle when Alexander Isak was available.
Isak showed how dangerous he can be when he came on, and I want to see him leading the attack at Palace.
Barcola is a winger. Let him play out wide, where his pace and ability to take defenders on can cause problems.
Florian Wirtz should also be given the opportunity to influence the game, while the midfield needs to provide better protection and supply the forwards with quality service.
Most importantly, Liverpool need to look like a team rather than a collection of individuals trying to solve problems on their own.
This is a chance to put things right
I don’t expect every problem to disappear in one match.
Liverpool are still a work in progress under Iraola, and I have always maintained that the manager needs time and backing in the transfer market.
But there is a difference between accepting that a rebuild takes time and accepting performances like the one in Turkey.
We need to see improvement now.
A win at Palace would not suddenly make Liverpool title contenders, but it would restore some confidence and give everyone something positive to take into the international break.
Another defeat, particularly if it comes with the same defensive mistakes and lack of intensity, would only increase the pressure.
My verdict: Liverpool owe the supporters a reaction
I am not interested in hearing excuses after the Fenerbahçe performance.
Liverpool were poor defensively, wasted the opportunity to take control of the match and allowed their opponents to punish them.
The Arsenal defeat was frustrating, but losing 3-2 in Istanbul after leading twice was another level of disappointment.
Now it is time for the players to respond.
I still believe Iraola is the right man to take Liverpool forward, but he needs to show that he can get a reaction from this squad. The players need to take responsibility and prove they have the character to turn things around.
I want to see a Liverpool team that presses with purpose, wins its battles, defends properly and plays with the intensity that supporters expect.
Three points at Crystal Palace would be a very welcome response.
But above all, I want to see a performance that gives us confidence that Liverpool are moving in the right direction.
Enough talk. It’s time to show it on the pitch.
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
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