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Every word from Andoni Iraola before Fenerbahce vs Liverpool including injury update and more

Catch everything from Andoni Iraola's pre-match press conference before Liverpool's clash with Fenerbahce, including the latest on Ryan Gravenberch's injury

Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola gestures during a press conference at Fenerbahce Sukru Saracoglu Spor Kompleksi stadium in Istanbul
Andoni Iraola has spoken to the media ahead of Liverpool's clash with Fenerbahce

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has faced the media ahead of his side's trip to Istanbul, where they will face Fenerbahce in the next Champions League league-phase clash.

With a 100 percent win record after three games, having seen off the likes of Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, and LASK, the Reds enter the halfway stage of the opening phase of the competition with the hope of continuing that impressive start.

In Fenerbahce, the Merseyside outfit meets a team in flux, with plenty of change going on behind the scenes, including a change in the dugout where former Liverpool star Dirk Kuyt will be in situ as interim manager.

Iraola has answered plenty of questions from the media about the challenge for his traveling squad, including an update on Ryan Gravenberch's fitness, and more. So, with that said, here's a look at every word from Liverpool's pre-match press conference.

Liverpool's special history with Istanbul

ISTANBUL, TURKEY - MAY 25: Captain Steven Gerrard and manager Rafael Benitez of Liverpool lift the trophy after the ceremony following the UEFA Champions League final between AC Milan and Liverpool at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium on May 25, 2005 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Etsuo Hara/Getty Images)

"I think Istanbul is always going to be special for Liverpool. It is difficult to find a better night in football [the 2005 Champions League final], a comeback like that one on such an important night.

"Talking about tomorrow, we know it is not going to be easy. You talk about the statistics, not just Liverpool alone, just English teams. I came here to play, so if you go to the Spanish teams, it will be similar.

"It is always difficult to come to Turkiye and play and we have to be very ready because Fenerbahce have very good players, a very good squad.

"They also have experience and know how to play in this competition, so we have to start the game strong and try to kill the confidence and the momentum they can have with the supporters."

Champions League record so far

Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola.

"I think we've had better results this season in the Champions League and also the Carabao Cup than in the Premier League. I think it's very early in the season to establish comparisons.

"We want to continue the line that we are having in the Champions League; three games and nine points. For us, it's a good chance to get to 12 points, try to qualify and then go to try to finish in the top eight - but Champions League away days are difficult. We know this and especially in this stadium, this atmosphere, we have to be mentally very ready to start strong."

Fenerbahce's changes and Dirk Kuyt

Fenerbahce's interim head coach Dirk Kuyt speaks during a press conference ahead of facing Liverpool.
Fenerbahce's interim head coach Dirk Kuyt speaks during a press conference ahead of facing Liverpool.

"Fenerbahce also is in a situation where they've changed the manager, [but] the players haven't changed. We know most of the players, we know the team.

"Obviously we don't have as many games to analyze with Dirk Kuyt that we had with the previous manager, but I don't think they've changed the style too much; I think they continue playing the same style. It's about controlling the individual players they have, the players they have up front, especially that can make the difference, so we have to take care of them."

Ryan Gravenberch's injury

Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea
Ryan Gravenberch is unavailable for Liverpool through a heel injury

"I don't know [the timeframe], it's a day-to-day thing because it's the heel, it's about the heel. I think he's been in some discomfort, the other day against Arsenal he was warming up and he was not fully confident.

"He hasn't improved since then and every day we have to ask him and every day we see how he is, if he can be available for the weekend [against Crystal Palace], lovely, he will be a very good help for us. But I cannot tell you right now."

Trey Nyoni and whether he is ready to play more games

Trey Nyoni of Liverpool in action during the Carabao Cup Fourth Round match between Liverpool and Chelsea
Trey Nyoni has impressed when featuring for Liverpool

"I think he has to continue in the same place he has been since the beginning of pre-season, being ready for every game. I think he is playing most of the games, or even all the games lately, so we trust him.

"He is doing very well and I think we have to encourage him to continue - to continue improving, continue learning, continue adding experience. He is in a very good place."

"I think the young players are already playing. Sometimes it's not just playing 90 minutes and then 90 minutes. It's just maybe one day you have to help us for 20 minutes and on another day you have to start and play 65, then the next day maybe you don't play, then the next day you play the full game.

"It's adding also endurance, because sometimes when you are young you feel ok, they are not going to get tired. But you need to add this to your body. It's big efforts every three days and every four days.

"I think they are in the process. The young players, Rio [Ngumoha], Trey, [Lewis] Koumas, they are there. They are adding important games and adding important minutes. I'm happy where they are."

On seeking explanation for no penalty given vs Arsenal

"No I didn't ask for an explanation, I didn't get an explanation. I told you what I think about the plays but honestly I don't have time, we're planning for Fenerbahce. We have just two days between games, so I've just been focusing on this game, this opposition, and how to prepare the team for tomorrow."

Was the defeat against Arsenal a step forward?

"It's difficult when you lose. But honestly, I'm happy with a lot of things from the other day. I liked a lot of things from the team the other day.

"Still, we need to improve, especially attacking the box. I think we have to probably touch [the ball] more in the six-yard box. A lot of times we are with the numbers there, but not making the proper runs, waiting for second balls. I think we put Arsenal under pressure and I honestly feel it. It's true that they defended well, but I liked a lot of the things I saw the other day."

Fenerbahce's midfield battle

Liverpool's Spanish head coach Andoni Iraola attends a press conference at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on October 19, 2026, the eve of their UEFA Champions League, league phase football match against Villarreal. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)

"I think Fenerbahce is a team that has very good players. In the midfield they have a very good technical level. If we allow them a lot of time on the ball or we don't press them properly, we are going to suffer.

"I think we have to be good in our press, I think we have to try to control the game, don't allow them to win confidence, because also they are experienced players, they know how to play these kind of games in this competition. The stronger we start, the less chances we should give to Fenerbahce, because otherwise they are going to be dangerous."

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