Anfield supporters are begging the manager to scrap one specific experiment after a shock Champions League defeat in Istanbul 🫥 With fans furious over benching Isak for a misfiring star upfront, should this experiment be binned forever?

Should be binned’: Liverpool fans urge Andoni Iraola to end one experiment after Fenerbahce loss

‘Should be binned’: Liverpool fans urge Andoni Iraola to end one experiment after Fenerbahce loss
This tactical decision didn’t pay off for Liverpool.

Andoni Iraola / Photo: LiverpoolFC
Liverpool suffered their first loss in the 2026/27 UEFA Champions League under Andoni Iraola by going down to a disappointing 3-2 defeat to Fenerbache on Wednesday (4 November, 2026).

The Reds actually took the lead twice in the game through goals from Trey Nyoni and Alexander Isak, but were just not able to hold onto it that well before capitulating towards the end by onceding some really poor goals.

Liverpool weren’t at their most efficient in the attacking style either, with Bradley Barcola being particularly poor in the game in Istanbul. The Frenchman was given a chance by Andoni Iraola to play as the no.9 for the Reds, with Alexander Isak being put on the bench from the get-go.

However, Barcola was just not able to justify his selection as the Liverpool centre-forward. He failed to get at the end of any major chances or create anything noteworthy, having a really frustrating performance.

That is why many Liverpool fans are urging Iraola to stop playing Barcola up-front for Liverpool going forward because he doesn’t seem suited to it. Here are some reactions for that from X (Twitter).

Hilal: “It’s not working for Barcola tonight. That experiment in a no. 9 should be binned.”

Wiz: “It’s rotation but unnecessary rotation because the rhythm of playing every 3 days is new to him. The players have the capacity he should let them do it and build relationships on the pitch. There’s no reason Isak should’ve been on the bench imo we wasted an hour with Barcola at 9”

Dave Downey: “Barcola is absolutely shocking..getting really frustrated with him. He gets a pass for playing as a 9 but didnt nothing again when switched out wide.”

Fari Sireger: “I don’t like how Iraola set the starting 11. He needs to help Barcola to settle fast, so don’t put him out of his best position. Should start with Koumas or Danns as No.9 if he wants to rest Isak.”

Sadio Manny: “Barcola in the false 9 isn’t the one.. Desperately need Ekiteke back coz there’s no one that can fill in for Isak when he needs a rest.”