Liverpool: Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha starring shows Reds haven't spent money well enough, says Jamie Carragher

Jamie Carragher called Liverpool's recruitment into question after their 3-2 defeat to Fenerbahce in the Champions League.

The Reds were 2-1 up with 20 minutes to play in Istanbul but went on to lose 3-2 in a game where teenagers Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha again starred.

Nyoni scored the opener and Alexander Isak hit the second, but Bradley Barcola extended his run of scoring in just one of his 13 appearances for the club so far.

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"It [defeat to Fenerbahce] reinforces to supporters that the squad Liverpool have got is very expensive, but not as good as it should be and not as balanced as it should be," said Carragher, speaking on CBS Sports.

"When you think of some of those players that have come in, what's a little worry for not so much the manager, but the people who run the club... Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha were the best players for Liverpool, and they were a week or so ago against Chelsea.

"But they also play in the position of players where Liverpool have spent big money.

"Bradley Barcola has come in for £120m. He played up front tonight, didn't play well, but the younger players are playing better than him.

"And in Nyoni in midfield; Liverpool haven't spent expensively on a player as such, but they've given big contracts this summer to Ryan Gravenberch - who was left out at the weekend for Nyoni - and Szoboszlai who played tonight and didn't play particularly well.

"You can imagine the type of figures they would be on and when a young player in midfield is playing ahead of them that causes a problem about where you've spent your money - and you basically haven't spent your money well enough."

Liverpool's spending over the last three seasons

2024/25: Federico Chiesa (£12.5m)

2025/26: Alexander Isak (£125m), Florian Wirtz (£116m), Hugo Ekitike (£79m), Milos Kerkez (£40m), Jeremie Frimpong (£29.5m), Giorgi Mamardashvili (£29m), Giovanni Leoni (£26m), Armin Pesci (£1.5m), Freddie Woodman (Free)

2026/27: Bradley Barcola (£123m), Jeremy Jacquet (£60m), Victor Munoz (£34.5m), Ifeanyi Ndukwe (Undisclosed)

Youthful attack let down by experienced defence

Analysis from Sky Sports' Callum Bishop:

The average age of Liverpool's starting front three was less than 22. The average age of their defence was just shy of 30.

On a European night and in a hostile environment, you'd expect it would be the experienced heads who stepped up. But the opposite was the case in Istanbul.

Nineteen-year-old Trey Nyoni stole the show on the night where he became the club's second-youngest Champions League goalscorer. Meanwhile, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz had their moments threatening the Fenerbahce backline.

Yet, at the back, Liverpool looked stuck in the mud. The state of the wall for Fenerbahce's first was well below par and Jacquet paid the price with the deflection. The marking and miscommunication that led to the second was also shocking to see.

But the third was the biggest failure. With the ball high in the sky, Muriqi drifted away from Virgil van Dijk, beat three static red shirts and headed past Alisson.

If Iraola was looking for a response after the defeat at Anfield, he would have been banking on that back five to be the leading lights within one. Instead, they are the reason he has suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since taking the Anfield hot seat.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Liverpool: Trey Nyoni and Rio Ngumoha starring shows Reds haven't spent money well enough, says Jamie Carragher