Fenerbahce beat Liverpool 3-2 in the Champions League league phase, twice fighting back from a goal down to end the Reds’ 100% record this season.
Vedat Muriqi struck the winner from the bench, powering a header past Alisson after Liverpool had twice led.
Liverpool lead twice
Heavy rain fell in Istanbul, and the early chances came from mistakes. Victor Munoz and Bradley Barcola both sliced at the ball in a sequence that left the Spaniard free to test Ederson at his near post. Andoni Iraola’s side kept probing, and Barcola was inches away from converting an excellent Joe Gomez delivery.
Fenerbahce survived a penalty scare when Kostas Tsimikas challenged Mason Greenwood. Then Trey Nyoni volleyed in the opener, wrong-footing Ederson for his first senior goal.
The hosts almost replied immediately, but Irfan Kahveci could only hit the crossbar after meeting a dangerous cross. The equaliser still came soon after. Jeremy Jacquet turned away in the Liverpool wall and deflected Greenwood’s tame free-kick beyond a furious Alisson. Greenwood then forced a good save from the goalkeeper shortly before the break.
Substitutes shape the second half
Liverpool reasserted themselves after the interval. Ederson got down sharply to keep out Barcola’s effort, then denied Virgil van Dijk from the resulting corner. Munoz went close too, cutting onto his left foot only for Milan Skriniar to block.
Iraola turned to his expensive bench, and the change worked at once. Cody Gakpo crossed for Alexander Isak, who headed in his first Champions League goal for Liverpool with his first touch.
Liverpool’s new-look side then repeated the earlier error and conceded another quick equaliser. Gakpo inadvertently flicked on a Fenerbahce corner, leaving Archie Brown a simple tap-in at the far post. Fenerbahce’s own substitute then settled it, with Muriqi rising above Jacquet to head past Alisson.
Records for both sides
Manager Dirk Kuyt will be delighted to win against his old club. The result ends a record-breaking 10-game winless run in this competition for Fenerbahce (D4, L6).
Liverpool, meanwhile, extended their poor record in Turkey. They are still without a win in seven Champions League visits there (D1, L6), despite the memorable night in Istanbul 21 years ago.
Archie Brown was named Man of the Match for Fenerbahce.