Fenerbahce staged a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Liverpool at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on 4 November 2026, handing the English side their second defeat in four days after leading twice in the UEFA Champions League group stage match.
Comeback built on set-pieces
Liverpool took an early lead through Trey Nyoni's first goal for the club, but Mason Greenwood equalised with a deflected free-kick before half-time. Alexander Isak put the visitors ahead again in the 69th minute, only for Archie Brown to level with a tap-in after Cody Gakpo's header deflected past Alisson. Six minutes later, Vedat Muriqi headed the winner from a long throw, completing a turnaround in which all three Fenerbahce goals came from set-pieces.
Iraola frustrated by "cheap" goals
Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola described the conceded goals as "cheap" and "messy", citing communication difficulties in the noisy stadium. "Mistakes can cost you," he said. "For the last goal, it's a long throw and the first phase is controlled but after a very long ball, Muriqi wins it." The defeat followed a loss to Arsenal on Sunday, leaving Iraola's side searching for defensive solutions.
Kuyt inspires "miracle" against former club
Interim Fenerbahce boss Dirk Kuyt, a Liverpool hero from 2006 to 2012, urged his players to embrace the never-say-die mindset associated with his former club's European exploits. "We told each other to stick together and be united. That's something I learned from Liverpool," Kuyt said. "We made a miracle tonight - not many expected us to win." The victory marked Fenerbahce's first win over an English side in 18 years, a number matching Kuyt's old Liverpool shirt number.
Warnock highlights recurring defensive issues
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock criticised the recurring pattern of set-piece vulnerability. "The biggest issue is that this keeps on happening, with Liverpool looking like they can concede at any moment," Warnock said. "When you go ahead twice away from home in the Champions League, you have to see it out. Liverpool don't have that ability at the moment."
