IRELAND U21 boss Noel King is adamant his side are still in the mix for reaching the 2013 European Championships after watching them suffer a first competitive loss under his reign in Manisa.

Liverpool’s obvious need to win their Champions League group A clash in the Inonu Stadium on the banks of the Bosphorus was underlined by the inclusion of two wingers – Ryan Babel and Jermaine Pennant – in boss Rafael Benitez’s starting line-up.