Liverpool lose 3-2 as Van Dijk calls defending unsustainable

Liverpool lost 3-2 to Fenerbahce in the Champions League after taking the lead twice, with captain Virgil van Dijk saying the team’s defensive errors were “not sustainable” and that work was needed to improve.

Liverpool went ahead through Trey Nyoni, then regained the lead when substitute Alexander Isak scored. Fenerbahce equalised before Archie Brown and Vedat Muriqi scored in the second half to complete the comeback. The defeat followed Liverpool’s 1-0 loss to Arsenal in the Premier League.

Van Dijk said Liverpool had switched off at set pieces and were not ready for the first and second balls. He said the team should not accept losing in that manner, while adding that difficult results could strengthen the group. Liverpool had conceded 10 goals in four Champions League matches this season, according to the match coverage.

The result extended a run of defensive difficulties in Europe. Liverpool had conceded three goals in each of their previous three Champions League matches, against LASK, Villarreal and Fenerbahce. Against Fenerbahce, all three goals came from set pieces, and the defeat was the first time Liverpool had conceded three non-penalty set-piece goals in a single...