The Turkish side levelled the tie on aggregate after Bestikas midfielder Tolgay Arslan curled a finish past Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet in the 72nd minute.
The Reds failed to add to Mario Balotelli’s strike from the first leg and score a vital away goal, losing their first European penalty shootout 5-4.
Here is a selection of the best Twitter reaction from disappointed Liverpool legends and other former professionals in chronological order to events in Istanbul.
Liverpool legend Luis Garcia (@LuchoGarcia14) is hoping for the luck of the Irish as the Champions League winner works on the game for Republic of Ireland’s TV3: “Ready for Besiktas vs Liverpool Europa League on Tv3Irland. #Dublin #europaleague #oncearedalwaysared #backintime”
Former Stoke City defender Danny Higginbotham (@Higginbotham05) knows all about the long-ball approach from his time working under Tony Pulis: “Simple long ball over the top for Liverpool is the key for them tonight. Besiktas defence playing far to high.”
Everton legend Peter Reid (@reid6peter)recalls a famous penalty shootout that happened at the same stadium almost 10 years ago: “Could it be a penalty shoot out in Turkey? Heard that somewhere !!!!”
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville (@GNev2) is human after all as the pundit suffers an ITV4 blackout like the rest of us: “Is it my TV or have we lost the game”
The untimely ITV4 fault provides a positive as Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) engages in some Twitter banter with his fellow Sky Sports pundit: [email protected] Yes Gary, can’t imagine you watched the pens here last time either!”
Before one of the heroes of the 2005 Champions League final win tries to summon the spirit of Istanbul: “Mignolet do a Dudek & get on the 6 yard box!!”
Crystal Palace midfielder James Mcarthur (@jamesmcarthur16) is impressed with Besiktas’ emphatic spot-kicks: “Besiktas been practicing put the pen in the top corner”
Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier (@mattletiss7) is well-placed to judge the difference between a good penalty and a toe poke: “Some quality pens being taken here #messitakenote”
Former Liverpool striker Don Hutchison (@donhutch4) can’t understand why Lovren was the fifth penalty taker: “Why would Lovren take the 5th Pen!!!!”
Norwich legend Darren Huckerby (@hucks6dh6) isn’t a bit surprised with Lovren’s attempt: “That’s what happens when you let a CB take a Pen ! #BallsForTakingItThough”
Kevin Long (@kevinlong28) reckons Besiktas are getting slightly carried away after a last-32 win: “Did Besiktas just win the UEFA Cup?”
Finally, Carragher has the last word: “Unlucky Reds… ITV1 now for the Blues, they’ll have to go & win it for the city because there already celebrating like they have!!”
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