If European away nights test a manager’s tactical resolve, they test refereeing patience in equal measure. At the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, Andoni Iraola watched his Liverpool side survive a refereeing lightning rod before suffering a defensive self-destruction in a frantic six minute second half spell.
Midway through the opening 45 minutes of Fenerbahçe’s 3-2 victory, winger Mason Greenwood sprinted through on goal after collecting an exquisite long pass. As Greenwood prepared to pull the trigger, Liverpool left-back Konstantinos Tsimikas executed a firm, two-handed shove into the attacker’s back, knocking him off balance.
Neither referee nor VAR intervened to award a spot-kick, leaving the Turkish crowd incensed and television pundits stunned.
Former PGMOL boss Keith Hackett led the chorus of disbelief online, simply stating: “This is a PUSH.”
Ally McCoist slams Tsimikas push
Speaking on TNT Sports duty, co-commentator Ally McCoist held no back-page ambiguity about the incident, insisting Tsimikas escaped a clear penalty.
“It’s a penalty, it’s two hands, not even one hand. That prevents him for me getting a shot on goal. Both hands. I think it’s a penalty, I really do. It’s a shame because it’s a replacement ball and an exquisite touch.”
When asked directly whether the Greek international got away with a blatant error inside the penalty area, McCoist remained unwavering.
“I think so, I really think so. He pushes him both hands when he’s in the process of having an attempt on goal just because it doesn’t look like it, doesn’t make it not a penalty.”
The refereeing controversy cut deeper for the hosts just two minutes later. Liverpool broke forward and young midfielder Trey Nyoni volleyed home a dropping half-clearance past Ederson via a deflection.
Making just his second senior start for the Reds, the 19-year-old became Liverpool’s second-youngest Champions League goalscorer behind only Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Yet Liverpool’s lead vanished within four minutes. After Dominik Szoboszlai conceded a free-kick for a foul on N’Golo Kanté, Greenwood stepped up from 25 yards out. His left-footed strike looked to be heading wide until it deflected heavily off Jérémy Jacquet, wrong-footing Alisson Becker completely.
McCoist immediately called out the structural failure inside Liverpool’s wall as an angry Alisson berated his defenders.
“He [Greenwood] gets a break doesn’t he? I think the goalkeeper will not be too happy with his wall. Does somebody turn their back on it? It’s the perfect answer. It’s Jacquet and he’s livid, does he turn his back? He certainly does, you’ve got to face it. The goalkeeper is livid, absolutely livid and with justification as well. He [Jacquet] is side on for someone who has had a good start to the season.”
Greenwood leaves mark on Anfield idol’s landmark night
Fenerbahçe dominated the remainder of the half. Greenwood dragged a sharp effort wide before forcing Alisson into a low save just before the interval, showing why Dirk Kuyt’s side spent €39 million (£32.5m) to bring him from Marseille.
For Kuyt, overseeing a historic victory against his former club proved a career pinnacle, becoming the first ex-Liverpool player to manage a win against the Reds since Graeme Souness in 2005.
For Iraola, however, watching his side drop control twice in Istanbul capped off the most chastening night of his short managerial reign in Merseyside.
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