A day on from our 3-2 defeat in Istanbul, Andoni Iraola has explained why he started Bradley Barcola through the middle against Fenerbahçe and insisted his five changes weren’t the main reason for the defeat.
Elsewhere, the club have announced that Liverpool FC Legends will face Inter Legends at Anfield in March, Tony Harrington has been named as referee for Sunday’s game at Crystal Palace, and The Athletic reports that we haven’t ruled out a new contract for Alexis Mac Allister. There’s no new injury news.
Iraola on Barcola up front
Barcola led the line in Istanbul, with Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo on the bench until the 66th minute. Asked about the decision, Iraola said: “I think we put in Victor [Muñoz] and Rio [Ngumoha], they were more fresh. We thought also that for Alex it was maybe good to play 30 minutes, not more. We wanted to try Bradley. We tried Cody in the past week against Chelsea.”
Iraola felt Barcola’s pace and the match-ups could suit him, though he acknowledged the forward had generally been more effective out wide this season.
‘Not the main reason’
Iraola also defended his decision to make five changes. “We’ve done this not just today. We’ve been doing it all season,” he said. “Because of the schedule that we have, it’s impossible to maintain with always the [same] starting XI. I think we have been dealing well with these rotations. I trust the squad to sustain the level.”
“I don’t think it was the main reason why we lost,” he added. “We have to look more at how we conceded the goals.”
According to Opta, Isak’s 69th-minute header marked the latest we’ve ever gone ahead in a major European match and gone on to lose. It’s now back-to-back defeats going into Sunday.
Mac Allister: new deal not ruled out
According to The Athletic, we haven’t ruled out offering Mac Allister a new contract. The report suggests sporting director Julian Ward could face a decision if he maintains his recent standards, although there’s no immediate rush. The 27-year-old’s current deal runs until the summer of 2028.
It follows his earlier comments to Argentine journalist Gastón Edul that he’d been told last season the club’s intention was not to offer an extension at that stage. The club haven’t publicly commented on the latest report. Credibility: High.
Palace in Europe tonight, Harrington on Sunday
Before Sunday, Pierre Sage’s Crystal Palace host Hoffenheim in the Europa League at Selhurst Park tonight, kick-off 5.45pm UK time. Palace have Quinten Timber and Jørgen Strand Larsen back in contention after injury.
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s three-match ban is domestic only, so he can play tonight but still misses our game on Sunday.
The club have confirmed that Tony Harrington will referee Sunday’s game at Selhurst Park, with Mat Wilkes and Steve Meredith as his assistants and Tom Kirk as fourth official. Michael Salisbury is on VAR, assisted by Constantine Hatzidakis.
Legends v Inter at Anfield
Liverpool FC Legends will take on Inter Legends at Anfield on Saturday 27 March 2027, kick-off 3pm UK time. It’s the LFC Foundation’s annual charity match, presented by AXA, with all proceeds going to the LFC Foundation and Forever Reds, the official former players’ association.
Tickets are £29.50 for adults, £19.50 for concessions and £9.50 for juniors. They’re on sale now for season ticket holders and members, with general sale from 3pm UK today. The Legends squad and management team will be announced nearer the game.
Team news
No new injuries have been reported since the game. Ryan Gravenberch (fractured heel) is doubtful for Sunday, with Iraola calling it “a day-to-day thing” at his pre-match press conference in Istanbul. Jeremie Frimpong is out with a muscle injury, and Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitiké and Giovanni Leoni are still recovering from long-term injuries.
Transfers
It’s been a quiet day so far on the transfer front, with nothing new from the likes of David Ornstein and Paul Joyce.
We have no credible new developments to report concerning Lamine Camara, Rio Ngumoha or El Hadji Malick Diouf. Our previous credibility ratings remain unchanged.
The Athletic has reported that we’re in advanced talks with Trey Nyoni over a new contract, with optimism that an agreement will be reached, although nothing has been finalised. His current deal runs until 2030. Credibility: High.
Beyond that and the Mac Allister report, we have no other significant developments from reliable sources to report concerning contracts, ownership, investment or senior club staffing today.
Fixtures (UK times)
Sunday 8 November: Crystal Palace v Liverpool, Premier League, 2pm (Sky Sports)
Sunday 22 November: Liverpool v Manchester United, Premier League, 4.30pm (Sky Sports)
Wednesday 25 November: Club Brugge v Liverpool, Champions League, 8pm
Sunday 29 November: Everton v Liverpool, Premier League, 12pm (TNT Sports)
Wednesday 2 December: Liverpool v Sunderland, Premier League, 7.30pm (Sky Sports)
Saturday 5 December: Chelsea v Liverpool, Premier League, 12.30pm (TNT Sports)
Wednesday 9 December: Liverpool v Porto, Champions League, 8pm
Saturday 12 December: Liverpool v Leeds United, Premier League, 3pm
Wednesday 16 December: Liverpool v AFC Bournemouth, Carabao Cup quarter-final, 8pm (ITV and Sky Sports)
Saturday 19 December: Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur, Premier League, 5.30pm (Sky Sports)
All kick-off times are GMT and subject to change.
