Fenerbahce came from behind twice to secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, ending the English side’s perfect start to the league phase. The Turkish club struck twice in the closing stages at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul to claim their first win of this season’s competition.
Liverpool took the lead in the 25th minute through 19-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni, who marked his breakthrough season with his first senior goal for the club. He collected a loose ball inside the penalty area and sent a deflected effort beyond goalkeeper Ederson. Fenerbahce responded four minutes later when Mason Greenwood’s free-kick took a deflection off the Liverpool defensive wall and wrong-footed Alisson Becker.
The visitors pushed for another goal after the interval, with Ederson called upon to deny efforts from Bradley Barcola and Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola introduced Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz in a triple substitution, and the change paid off in the 69th minute when Gakpo delivered from the left for Isak to head home with his first touch of the match.
Fenerbahce again refused to surrender, restoring parity four minutes later through Archie Brown. The defender arrived unmarked at the far post to convert N’Golo Kante’s delivery following a short corner, exposing Liverpool’s defensive disorganisation. The hosts completed their comeback in the 79th minute when Vedat Muriqi rose above the visiting defenders to head home and put Fenerbahce ahead for the first time.
Liverpool searched for an equaliser in the closing stages, with Isak and Gakpo among those attempting to rescue a point, but the hosts held firm. The result was a significant setback for Iraola’s side, who had won their opening three league-phase matches. It also marked their second consecutive defeat in all competitions, following their loss to Arsenal in the Premier League three days earlier.
Fenerbahce’s victory was their first of the Champions League league phase under former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt, who is overseeing the Turkish side. For Liverpool, the defensive lapses that allowed the hosts to respond so quickly after both goals proved costly. The Reds had shown considerable attacking promise, but their inability to protect their advantage ultimately decided the contest.
Liverpool remain on nine points from four matches, while Fenerbahce gained a valuable boost to their campaign with the victory. The result leaves the English side needing a response in their remaining fixtures as the competition’s league phase enters its second half.
