Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola bemoaned his side’s poor defending of set-pieces leading to “cheap, messy” goals which cost them a 3-2 defeat and the loss of their 100 per cent Champions League record against Fenerbahce.
On a chaotic night in Istanbul, the visitors twice conceded the lead given to them by Trey Nyoni – scoring his first goal for the club – and Alexander Isak, with goals from Englishmen Mason Greenwood and Archie Brown before Vedat Muriqi scored a 79th-minute winner.
It was the first time they had conceded three in three successive European games, extending their woeful record in Turkey to just one win, one draw and seven defeats and they have yet to keep a clean sheet in the country, which also extends to Champions League and Super Cup finals.
After five successive wins in all competitions they have now lost back-to-back games, but this defeat was far more damaging to morale than Sunday’s reverse to Arsenal.
“Cheap goals. Messy goals,” said Iraola. “The free-kick is quite far out, through the wall. The last goal was a long throw, the second one Cody (Gakpo) touched the ball just in front of Ali (goalkeeper Alisson). In the stadium it was almost impossible to communicate, it was difficult for me to give instructions and the communication was difficult between Cody and Ali.”
Follow all the reaction from Fenerbahce v Liverpool with our live blog below:
Read MoreLiverpool’s horror night underlines Andoni Iraola’s Champions League gamble
Fenerbahce vs Liverpool LIVE
- FULL TIME! Liverpool stunned by Fenerbahce comeback in Champions League [FEN 3-2 LIV]
- Andoni Iraola rues defensive set-piece errors in Liverpool defeat
- 78' GOAL! Vedat Muriqi's flying header stuns Liverpool as hosts lead [FEN 3-2 LIV]
- 74' GOAL! Liverpool lead wiped out again as Brown taps in [FEN 2-2 LIV]
- 69' GOAL! Isak makes instant impact to head in Gakpo cross [FEN 1-2 LIV]
- 66' CHANGES! Liverpool send on Isak, Wirtz and Gakpo [FEN 1-1 LIV]
- 29' GOAL! Deflected Mason Greenwood free-kick pulls hosts level [FEN 1-1 LIV]
- 25' GOAL! Trey Nyoni scores first Liverpool goal to give Reds lead [FEN 0-1 LIV]
Iraola on decision to play Barcola through the middle
21:18 , Mike JonesIraola also addressed his decision to start Bradley Barcola as the main striker.
“We thought it would work well because I think Bradley, in terms of speed [and] the match-ups, it could be good for him,” he explained.
“He hasn't found the position too hard... all season he has been better when he has played outside wide, and then obviously with Cody, with Alex, I think we've been more dangerous.”
Iraola explains team changes
21:13 , Mike JonesAndoni Iraola spoke during his post match press conference about why he made the changes he did.
“Yeah, I think we put in Victor [Munoz] and Rio [Ngumoha], they were more fresh,” Iraola said.
“We thought also that for Alex [Isak] it was maybe good to play 30 minutes, not more. We wanted to try Bradley. We tried Cody [Gakpo] in the past week against Chelsea. We wanted to play Bradley.”
What next for Liverpool?
21:08 , Mike JonesAndoni Iraola will be hoping to send his players off to the international break with a win when the Reds face Crystal Palace in the Premier League this weekend.
Another defeat would raise the pressure on Liverpool and make their first match after the break, versus Manchester United at Anfield, more important that it already is.
In the Champions League, the Reds will face Club Brugge at the end of November before fixtures against Porto, Inter Milan and Lens round out the league phase.
Fenerbahce made 'a miracle' says Kuyt
21:03 , Mike JonesFenerbahce’s interim manager, and former Liverpool midfielder, Dirk Kuyt gave his reaction to the result.
Tonight’s match was his second and final fixture as interim boss and Kuyt described the win as ‘a miracle’.
“A very special night for everyone who loves Fenerbahce,” he said.
“We told each other to stick together and be united. That’s something I learned from Liverpool.
“We made a miracle tonight, not many expected us to win.”
Iraola maintains trust in squad
20:58 , Mike JonesAndoni Iraola made five changes to the Liverpool starting XI for this evening’s game but admitted that he does not think switching out the personnel was to blame for the defeat.
“We have done this not just today, we have done it all season. All the games midweek we have been changing four or five as it’s impossible to retain the starting XI,” Iraola added.
“I trust the squad to sustain the level and I don’t think it is the main reason why we lost.
“We have to look more at how we conceded the goals as the reason we didn’t win.”
Liverpool 'have to do better'
20:53 , Mike Jones“We conceded from a free-kick, a corner, a long throw and that has hurt us,” Iraola continued.
“We have gone in front twice, we conceded in situations we should have definitely done better (with).
“It is frustrating because it is a difficult place to play and for the most part of the game we were thinking we could win this one.
“The first one the wall we didn’t set properly, the last one when he jumps he wins the ball against three defenders.
“I think before scoring the goals we had very good moments on the ball, very good offensive situations. The thing is we conceded almost straight away.
“We have been dealing well with these situations up to today. It has cost us. We have to do better.”
Iraola describes Fenerbahce goals as 'cheap and messy'
20:48 , Mike JonesMore reaction from Liverpool’s manager who is not happen with the manner in which his team conceded.
He called Fenerbahce’s goals ‘cheap and messy’ amid the atmosphere inside the stadium.
“Cheap goals. Messy goals,” said Iraola.
“The free-kick is quite far out, through the wall. The last goal was a long throw, the second one Cody (Gakpo) touched the ball just in front of Ali (goalkeeper Alisson).
“In the stadium it was almost impossible to communicate, it was difficult for me to give instructions and the communication was difficult between Cody and Ali.”
Greenwood explains what was said before the game
20:43 , Mike JonesThe Fenerbahce striker added: "Just that we were all going to suffer together because we know Liverpool are one of the best teams in Europe. They've got great players at the top of the pitch.
"We knew if we stuck together in the difficult moments, in the low block, we'd be able to create chances, catch them on the break like we did in the first half.
“Then we knew we'd be very good in the air, would be able to create some chances, we managed to take them and get the win."
Some Fenerbahce reaction
20:38 , Mike JonesFenerbahce’s first goalscorer, Mason Greenwood, said: "It was a great performance from the team, we dug in until the end and always thought we'd have a chance to win the game, even though we went 1-0 down.
"I want to congratulate all the coaching staff, the players and especially the fans for getting behind us. We're very happy to get this win tonight."
Liverpool should have got more from the game
20:33 , Mike JonesThat’s the belief of striker Alexander Isak who came off the bench to score and put the Reds 2-1 ahead in the second half.
He told the club’s website: "It's never easy here but today I think we could and should get more out of the game.
“It's a bit sloppy that we had the lead twice and for us to then lose the game is not good enough.
“Obviously we're going to be disappointed from that."
More from Iraola
20:28 , Mike JonesThe Liverpool boss added: "It's frustration because it's a difficult place to come here and play. In most parts of the game we were thinking we could win this one but obviously it hasn't happened.
"Especially the first goal and the third goal - the second one is a rebound - but the first one, I don't think we set the wall properly and the last one, Muriqi wins the ball against three defenders, it's definitely something we need to defend better."
Iraola rues defensive set piece errors
20:23 , Mike JonesLiverpool manager Andoni Iraola voiced his thoughts on the match at his post game press conference.
He spoke first about the result and where Liverpool lost the game.
"The main reason that I can find for why we lost this game is we conceded from three set pieces,” Iraola explained.
“It's something that we were doing very well in the league, we were doing quite well until today.
"We knew it was one of the strengths of Fenerbahce. We concede from a free-kick, a corner and even from the long throw at the end.
"They're goals have hurt us because we've gone twice in front after having good moments, controlling the game, arriving, we've found the goals but after we've conceded in situations we should definitely defend better.”
Reaction from Kostas Tsimikas
20:18 , Mike JonesThe Liverpool left-back gave his thoughts to Uefa following the defeat to Fenerbahce.
He said: "Congratulations to Fenerbahce, they deserve it. We didn't play how we had to play.
"We didn't defend after the goal we conceded, after three or four minutes, automatically, we conceded another goal.
"I think we have to mark better if we want to win games. We didn't play very good and that's why we lost."
A bad defeat for Liverpool
20:13 , Mike JonesAlexander Isak gave Liverpool a 2-1 lead in the 69th minute of this game before they went on to lose 3-2 - it's the latest they have ever gone ahead in a major European game and then lost.
Fenerbache come from behind to beat Liverpool
20:08 , Mike JonesGoals from Mason Greenwood, Archie Brown and Vedat Muriqi were enough to secure a 3-2 win in Istanbul.
Player of the match
20:03 , Mike JonesThere were perhaps a few contenders for this but Fenerbahce’s Ismail Yuksek has been named Player of the Match.
The Uefa Technical Observer Group said: "He played a vital role in the defensive midfield trio that so effectively stifled the bulk of Liverpool's attacking threat in the middle of the pitch, well supported by N'Golo Kanté and Mattéo Guendouzi."
A big win
19:58 , Mike JonesThe victory is a massive one for Fenerbahce who jump up to 19th in the table.
Teams need to finish inside the top 24 to qualify for a playoff spot and keep in contention to get into the knockout rounds.
Fenerbahce would have been struggling had they lost tonight but three points now puts them just a couple of places behind Manchester United.
A goal to remember
19:53 , Mike JonesAt 32 years and 194 days old, Vedat Muriqi has become the second-oldest scorer for Fenerbahce in the Champions League proper, after Pierre van Hooijdonk (34y 291d vs Sparta Praha in September 2004).
How things stand
19:48 , Mike JonesThat defeat leaves Liverpool fifth in the Champions League table on nine points from a possible 12.
They could fall down and outside of the top eight by the end of the evening depending on how the rest of the night’s games go.
Arsenal and Man City could move above them.
Liverpool beaten by Fenerbahce
19:44 , Mike JonesIt was a very open game and the three goals that Liverpool conceded were all avoidable.
That said, there were 39 shots across both teams with 12 of them on target.
The Turkish side scored half of their on target attempts, Liverpool only managed to scored two of theirs.
It’s a crucial three points for Fenerbahce.
Full-time! Fenerbahce 3-2 Liverpool
19:39 , Mike Jones90+3 mins: There goes the full time whistle!
Liverpool have been beaten in Istanbul. There’s more work for Andoni Iraola and the Reds to do to secure a top eight finish in the Champions League this season.
It’s also back-to-back defeats this week following the loss to Arsenal.
Liverpool’s indifferent season looks set to continue but there were positives despite the result. Fenerbahce just took their chances.
Fenerbahce 3-2 Liverpool
19:35 , Mike Jones90 mins: Time is ticking away from Liverpool. Fenerbahce are on the verge of a famous win.
Liverpool’s poor run of results against Turkish clubs looks set to continue.
That is unless they can score in the three minutes of added time.
Fenerbahce 3-2 Liverpool
19:31 , Mike Jones85 mins: Liverpool are getting desperate and that is shown by Gakpo’s effort from range.
It’s not a bad one as he hooks his foot around the ball but there’s not enough dip on the shot to send it under the crossbar.
Fenerbahce 3-2 Liverpool
19:27 , Mike Jones82 mins: We’re now into the final 10 minutes of the game and this is last chance saloon stuff for Liverpool if they want to take something from this match.
Szoboszlai’s corner is cleared but Liverpool recover the ball and look to attack again. The boos resume and, somehow, increase in volume.
GOAL! Fenerbahce 3-2 Liverpool (Vedat Muriqi, 79')
19:26 , Mike JonesWow!
Fenerbahce are on the brink of a famous win now. The ball is floated into the box and slowly drops to the edge of the six yard area.
There are four defenders but Muriqi leaps above them all, meets the ball and nods it past Alisson!
Liverpool are behind.
Iraola won’t be happy with how shaky his team have been at the back.
Fenerbahce 2-2 Liverpool
19:21 , Mike Jones76 mins: Can Liverpool muster yet another comeback and get themselves back in front?
Fenerbahce have been good value tonight but both goals have been fortuitous.
Milos Kerkez is introduced to replace Kostas Tsimikas.
GOAL! Fenerbahce 2-2 Liverpool (Archie Brown, 73')
19:19 , Mike JonesFenerbahce win a corner that is played short before getting floated into the penalty area.
It looks like Gakpo who flicks the ball on and he nudges it past his goalkeeper and into the feet of Archie Brown who taps it home.
A mistake from Liverpool and Fenerbahce are level again!
Fenerbahce 1-2 Liverpool
19:16 , Mike Jones72 mins: It didn’t take long at all for Iraola’s changes to work for Liverpool.
The Reds are back in the lead but Jacquet gives up a free kick to the left of his own box.
The free kick is lifted to the edge of the box for Greenwood who shoots but has his effort blocked.
GOAL! Fenerbahce 1-2 Liverpool (Alexander Isak, 69')
19:15 , Mike JonesLiverpool lead again!
It’s the substitutes who combine as Gakpo is fed into space on the left wing.
He hangs a cross up to the back post where Alexander Isak leaps and powers a header into the back of the net.
Ederson got two hands to the ball but couldn’t keep it out.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
19:14 , Mike Jones67 mins: Here we go.
Iraola’s changes come now with Ngumoha, Gomez and Munoz taken off.
In their place come Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo.
Dominik Szoboszlai is now playing at right back for the Reds.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
19:11 , Mike Jones66 mins: Muriqi’s first involvement in the game is to ease in behind the Liverpool defence and fizz a shot at Alisson after he’s supplied by Kante.
Alisson keeps the ball out at the near post before the offside flag is raised against the forward.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
19:09 , Mike Jones63 mins: Dirk Kuyt is the first manager to make a change in order to try and influence this game.
He takes off Romelu Lukaku and brings on Vedat Muriqi in his place.
Will it be long before Andoni Iraola calls on his own substitutes?
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
19:06 , Mike Jones60 mins: An hour played in Istanbul and Joe Gomez decides to take a shot from long range.
It’s not good and doesn’t trouble the goalkeeper.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
19:02 , Mike Jones57 mins: Save! Bradley Barcola finds a bit of joy on the left wing as he receives the ball.
He dances inside and sends a sharp, low effort towards the near post. Ederson drops low and palms it wide!
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
19:01 , Mike Jones54 mins: Mac Allister wins a free kick after a tackle from Kante.
The Liverpool midfielder takes a knee to the ribs as the two men go to ground.
Szoboszlai sets the ball for the free kick and decides to short pass it to Tsimikas. He sends a cross to the back post where Van Dijk nods it across goal and Fenerbahce clear the danger.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
18:57 , Mike Jones51 mins: Liverpool have certainly come out from the break with a bit of gusto.
A cross from the right wing lands on the head of Mac Allister who turns a soft effort into the hands of Ederson.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
18:55 , Mike Jones48 mins: A nice run from Ngumoha takes Liverpool into the box. He drops his shoulder and moves left before firing off a shot that Semedo does well to block.
The resultant corner is whipped in by Szoboszlai but a push in the box from the Liverpool captain awards Fenerbahce a free kick.
Second half! Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
18:51 , Mike JonesFenerbahce get the ball rolling for the second half in Instanbul.
No changes from either manager but Andoni Iraola has strong options on the bench.
Goalkeeper involved in Jesus de Miguel death reveals ‘enormous pain’
18:47 , Jamie BraidwoodJesus Owono was sent off after colliding with De Miguel, who died in hospital on Tuesday after suffering a cardiac arrest.
Goalkeeper involved in Jesus de Miguel death reveals ‘enormous pain’
HT Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
18:43 , Mike JonesHere’s a look into the stats from the first half.
Liverpool had 69% possession and created nine shots. But, just one of those was on target.
In comparison, Fenerbahce had eight attempts with two on target.
As for xG, the hosts edge it with a statistic of 0.97 compared to Liverpool’s 0.8.
HT Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
18:39 , Mike Jones
Half-time! Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
18:35 , Mike Jones45+1 mins: The whistle goes to end the first half.
All level at the break.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
18:29 , Mike Jones41 mins: Fenerbahce win a corner that Van Dijk heads out of the area.
It falls to Ismail who fancies himself from range but miscues his shot and smokes it high and wide.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
18:26 , Mike Jones38 mins: We’re approaching the final minutes of the first half and there’s nothing to split the teams.
Fenerbahce have grown into the game though and it feels like they can get something out of this game.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
18:24 , Mike Jones35 mins: Munoz takes on Fenerbahce’s left-back and sweeps around him before winning another corner for the Reds.
Tsimikas is on set piece duty for this one and whips it onto the head of Skriniar who nods it over for another corner but from the opposite side.
Szoboszlai is tasked with this one and floats a cross into the box but after a bit of pinball, Fenerbahce work it clear.
Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool
18:19 , Mike Jones32 mins: The game has completely ramped up in tempo since Fenerbahce’s denied penalty.
Romelu Lukaku gets into space on the right side of the pitch and touches the ball into the box.
He swings over a cross but just sends the ball behind his teammate as Liverpool scramble to defend.
This match is truly alive now.
GOAL! Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool (Mason Greenwood, 29')
18:18 , Mike JonesEqualiser!
Fenerbahce win themselves a free kick in a dangerous area.
Mason Greenwood takes it and shoots but he strikes the Liverpool wall!
Jeremy Jacquet leaps but twists in the air and the ball strikes him in the chest and rebounds past Alisson into the back of the net!
Fenerbahce 0-1 Liverpool
18:16 , Mike Jones28 mins: Crossbar!
Fenerbahce almost respond immediately!
They work the ball down the left wing and squirt a low cross into the area.
Irfan Can Kahveci meets it and can only turn the ball onto the crossbar!
GOAL! Fenerbahce 0-1 Liverpool (Trey Nyoni, 25')
18:14 , Mike JonesOh that’s got to hurt.
I think Liverpool got away with one after that penalty shout but they’ve made it work.
They win a corner and work it to Szoboszlai who lifts in a cross to the box post where Virgil van Dijk is. The captain leaps but is blocked by the closest defender who nudges the ball into the path of Trey Nyoni.
The youngster meets the ball and fires a first time shot at goal.
There’s a slight deflection and the goalkeeper is beaten. Liverpool lead!
Fenerbahce 0-0 Liverpool
18:12 , Mike Jones24 mins: Gomez launches a long throw in into the Fenerbahce box but the hosts headed the ball out of danger.
The Liverpool right-back collects the ball and whips in another cross but that is once again cleared away.
Fenerbahce then burst forward on the left before crossing a delightful ball over the pitch into the feet of Mason Greenwood.
He controls the ball, touches it into the box and goes down after a shove from Tsimikas. The referee waves for play to go on and VAR doesn’t intervene.
Fenerbahce 0-0 Liverpool
18:09 , Mike Jones21 mins: Liverpool have had 68% possession so far in this match.
The hosts haven’t put any pressure on the Reds’ defence.
Joe Gomez comes forward on the right and collects a delightful low pass bobbling across the pitch.
He drills a low cross into the six yard area with his first touch and almost sets up Barcola but the forward can’t get the final touch on the ball!
Fenerbahce 0-0 Liverpool
18:06 , Mike Jones18 mins: Munoz has looked lively across these opening stages and wins another corner for the Reds.
Szoboszlai swings it in but once again the ball is cleared.
Liverpool recover the loose ball and look to slowly build another account and draw Fenerbahce out.
Fenerbahce 0-0 Liverpool
18:03 , Mike Jones15 mins: Liverpool work the ball patiently and perfectly through midfield with Trey Nyoni and Dominik Szobozslai combining well.
They feed it to Alexis Mac Allister who swings it out wide to Kostas Tsimikas.
The left-back then fires in a high cross but can’t find a teammate.
Fenerbahce 0-0 Liverpool
18:01 , Mike Jones12 mins: Tricky footwork from Rio Ngumoha sees him twist inside from the left before he’s fouled by N’Golo Kante.
Liverpool are awarded a free kick and Dominik Szoboszlai places it down. Does he fancy it?
Yes!
But he hits his own teammate, Victor Munoz, on the edge of the wall. The ball flies away.
Fenerbahce 0-0 Liverpool
17:57 , Mike Jones9 mins: After a little bit of possession from Fenerbahce, the boos ramp up again as Munoz looks to burst down the right wing for Liverpool.
He’s tracked by Guendouzi who goes to ground under the slightest pressure and wins the hosts a free kick.
Fenerbahce boot the ball long and win a throw in but they can’t make inroads into Liverpool’s final third and are forced to retreat.
Fenerbahce 0-0 Liverpool
17:53 , Mike Jones6 mins: Save!
Ederson is called into action after Liverpool scuff a couple of chances.
Rio Ngumoha whips a cross in from the left wing and finds Munoz on the opposite side of the box. His shot is miscued but falls to Bradley Barcola who messes up an effort of his own.
Fenerbahce aren’t closing down and the ball bobbles back to Munoz whose second attempts forces Ederson into a sharp but low save to his left.
The ball is deflected out for a corner which Fenerbahce then deal with. Nervous moments for the hosts.
Fenerbahce 0-0 Liverpool
17:50 , Mike Jones3 mins: Liverpool are treated to an insight into the atmosphere they can expect throughout the evening as the Fenerbahce fans boo and jeer at them whenever they’re in possession of the ball.
The impact of the crowd doesn’t seem to bother the Reds but it gives way to a chorus of cheers as Victor Munoz fails to keep the ball in play over on the right wing.
Kick off! Fenerbahce 0-0 Liverpool
17:48 , Mike JonesBefore the match gets underway there is a moment of silence for CD Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel Alameda who passed away this week.
After the tribute, Liverpool kick off the game in the pouring rain.
Fenerbahce vs Liverpool
17:42 , Mike JonesThe teams make their way out onto the pitch in Istanbul.
Liverpool should be the heavy favourites to win this game tonight but nothing can be taken for granted in the Champions League.
If the Reds were to win this evening they would be one step closer to qualifying for the knockout rounds.
Kick off is up next...
Barcola to emulate Liverpool greats?
17:39 , Mike JonesBradley Barcola could become only the second Liverpool player to score two European hat-tricks away from Anfield. Michael Owen is the only man to do so to date.
Barcola netted a treble at LASK in the Reds’ last Champions League away game. The only Liverpool player to score two hat-tricks in the same season in the European Cup/Champions League is Graeme Souness, who did so in 1980-81.
Kuyt on tonight's match
17:33 , Mike JonesFenerbahce’s interim boss said: "It is a great opportunity for us to show what we can do.
“It's also a great opportunity for me, a game between two teams that are very important to me. We have a very good plan, and we have to believe in this plan.
"No one who loves Fenerbahce is happy with the current situation, but this is a huge opportunity. We have players who have won the Champions League and the World Cup."
Liverpool's opponents
17:27 , Mike JonesFenerbahce will be led for the game by former Liverpool player Dirk Kuyt, who was placed in interim charge of the club last week.
Fenerbahce are the fourth club from Turkey to face Liverpool following Trabzonspor, Galatasaray and Besiktas.
Fenerbahce vs Liverpool
17:21 , Mike JonesThe clubs have never met before and Fenerbahce will be Liverpool’s 140th different European opponent.
The Reds have collected maximum points in the Champions League so far this season – also with three victories from three league-phase games are Aston Villa, Paris Saint-Germain, Real Betis and Real Madrid.
Liverpool have scored 12 goals in the Champions League so far this term, with only PSG (14) netting more.
Dirk Kuyt makes loyalty vow ahead of managing Fenerbahce
17:15 , Mike JonesDirk Kuyt says he will set aside his affection for Liverpool because his responsibility right now lies with Fenerbahce ahead of the two teams meeting in the Champions League on Wednesday.
The former Reds forward has been handed interim control of the Turkish Super Lig club following the resignation of Ismail Kartal last week.
Kuyt makes loyalty vow ahead of managing Fenerbahce against former club Liverpool
Liverpool have potential
17:09 , Mike JonesCody Gakpo spoke alongside his manager at yesterday’s pre-match press conference.
He said: "I think there's a lot of potential, I think everybody showed it already individually at times, either at the club or at another club, like Bradley [Barcola] obviously just came.
“I think he showed brilliance at Paris Saint-Germain and he showed it as well this year. We have to get to know each other very well. I think from that moment on it can only be better than it is already now.
“There are only good things and positive things we can look forward to."
Liverpool targeting more points
17:03 , Mike JonesLiverpool have three wins from three in the Champions League this year and they’re targeting more.
“I think we've had better results this season in the Champions League and also the Carabao Cup than in the Premier League. I think it's very early in the season to establish comparisons,” Andoni Iraola said.
“We want to continue [down] the line that we are having in the Champions League [with] three games and nine points. For us, it's a good chance to get to 12 points, try to qualify and then go to try to finish in the top eight - but Champions League away days are difficult.
“We know this and especially in this stadium, this atmosphere, we have to be mentally very ready to start strong.”
More from Iraola
16:57 , Mike JonesThe Liverpool boss added: “I think Istanbul is always going to be special for Liverpool. It is difficult to find a better night in football, a comeback like that one on such an important night.
“We know it is not going to be easy. You talk about the statistics, not just Liverpool alone, just English teams. I came here to play, so if you go to the Spanish teams, it will be similar.
“It is always difficult to come to Turkey and play and we have to be very ready because Fenerbahce have very good players, a very good squad.
“They also have experience and know how to play in this competition, so we have to start the game strong and try to kill the confidence and the momentum they can have with the supporters.”
Iraola on facing Fenerbahce
16:51 , Mike JonesThe Liverpool boss, Andoni Iraola, previewed tonight’s match and said: “Fenerbahce is a team that has very good players. In the midfield they have a very good technical level.
“If we allow them a lot of time on the ball or we don’t press them properly, we are going to suffer. I think we have to be good in our press, I think we have to try to control the game, don’t allow them to win confidence, because also they are experienced players, they know how to play these kind of games in this competition.
“The stronger we start, the less chances we should give to Fenerbahce, because otherwise they are going to be dangerous.”
The concerning Liverpool dilemma exposed by Arsenal’s Anfield victory
16:45 , Richard JollyLiverpool’s expensive forward line continues to fail in decisive games and Andoni Iraola must figure out a solution if they are to become challengers in the Premier League.
The concerning Liverpool dilemma exposed by Arsenal’s Anfield victory
Liverpool team changes
16:40 , Mike JonesAndoni Iraola has made five changes from the team that lined up against Arsenal last time out.
In defence, Ronald Araujo and Milos Kerkez drop out and are replaced with Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas.
Meanwhile, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak are benched with Dominik Szoboszlai, Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz brought in.
Fenerbahce team to face Liverpool
16:33 , Mike JonesFenerbahce XI: Ederson; Nelson Semedo, Skriniar, Oppong, Brown; Guendouzi, Kante, Ismail Yuksek; Greenwood, Lukaku, Irfan Can Kahveci
Subs: Tarık Cetin, Mert Günok, Kerem Akturkoglu, Yigit Efe Demir, Mert Muldur, Muriqi, Mercan, Bartug Elmaz, Nene, Oguz Aydın, Mimovic
Liverpool team to take on Fenerbahce
16:31 , Mike JonesLiverpool XI: Alisson; Gomez, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Mac Allister, Nyoni; Munoz, Soboszlai, Ngumoha; Barcola
Your #UCL Reds to take on Fenerbahce in Istanbul! ❤️🔥 pic.twitter.com/Mq0tydovv0
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) November 4, 2026
Almost time for line ups
16:27 , Mike JonesThe official line-ups for tonight’s Champions League clash will be dropping in a few minutes.
How will Andoni Iraola set up the Reds to take on this challenge in Turkey?
We’ll find out shortly...
Kuyt returns to Liverpool
16:21 , Mike JonesFormer Liverpool midfielder, Dirk Kuyt, is the interim manager of Fenerbahce and will lead the team tonight.
Of his return to Liverpool he spoke about what he is expecting from the game.
“Romelu [Lukaku] was speaking about how important it is to show the fans – who deserve much more – a reaction of positive energy and a good performance,” Kuyt said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.
“We have really good players but we need to show up. When we show up tomorrow with good energy, with passion and there to play, I think it can be a very special night.”
Iraola gives update on Gravenberch injury
16:15 , Mike JonesLiverpool manager Andoni Iraola spoke about Ryan Gravenberch and his injury.
Iraola explained:“It’s a fracture of the heel. It’s about the pain. He has been with some discomfort.
“The other day against Arsenal he was warming up and he was not fully confident.
“He hasn’t improved since then. But it’s going to be something that every day we ask him, every day we see how he is.”
Fenerbahce's team news
16:09 , Mike JonesDefender Nathan Ake and midfielder Marco Asensio will miss the match against the Red as the pair are injured.
Jayden Oosterwolde has been out of action since August and there is a doubt over the availability of Kojo Peprah Oppong.
Liverpool's early team news
16:03 , Mike JonesAndoni Iraola will be without Ryan Gravenberch who has a heel injury while Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo are unavailable having not been named in the Reds’ submitted ‘A’ squad for the league phase.
Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined with a muscle issue, while Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni continue to recover from long-term injuries.
How to watch tonight's match
15:57 , Mike JonesThe clash between Fenerbahce and Liverpool will kick off at 5.45pm GMT and viewers can watch the game on TNT Sports 1 when broadcast begins at 5pm.
TNT Sports subscribers can stream the match via the HBO Max app.
Trey Nyoni: Teenage star tipped for new deal ahead of Fenerbahce clash
15:55 , Jamie BraidwoodLiverpool are set to reward Trey Nyoni with a new contract, according to The Athletic.
The 19-year-old has made the step up to Liverpool’s first team this season and made his first Premier League start in the defeat against Arsenal on Sunday.
He has featured heavily in Liverpool’s Champions League campaign so far and could deputise again for Ryan Gravenberch in Istanbul this season.
“Trey just has to continue in the same way as since the beginning of pre-season, be ready for all of the games,” Andoni Iraola said before facing Fenerbahce.
“We trust him, he’s doing very well. We have to encourage him to continue learning, improving and getting experience. But he’s in a very good place.”
The Reds rejected a £30m bid from Nottingham Forest this summer and made clear to Nyoni that he was part of their plans this season, having not signed a replacement for Curtis Jones after he joined Inter Milan.
When is Fenerbahce vs Liverpool?
15:51 , Mike JonesThe Champions League league phase clash between Fenerbahce and Liverpool takes place on Wednesday 4 November at Chobani Stadium in Istanbul.
Liverpool have won all three of their previous Champions League matches and are aiming to keep that record going this evening.
Fenerbahce v Liverpool
15:45 , Mike JonesLiverpool take on Fenerbahce away from home tonight as they look to maintain their 100% winning record in the Champions League this season.
The Reds have previously beaten Atletico Madrid, LASK and Villarreal in this campaign, scoring 12 times in the process.
They come into tonight’s clash on the back of a 1-0 defeat against Arsenal last Sunday.
In comparison, Fenerbahce are currently managed by interim boss - and former Liverpool forward - Dirk Kuyt after Ismail Kartal resigned last month.
The Turkish side are winless in the Champions League this season (drawn two, lost one) and given they were hammered 6-0 by Aston Villa in October, Liverpool will fancy their chances of getting a positive result in Istanbul.
Good evening!
14:59 , Mike JonesWelcome to The Independent’s coverage of tonight’s Champions League action as Liverpool travel to Turkey to face Fenerbahce.
It should be another intriguing contest in the European top flight as Liverpool seek to brush off defeat to Arsnal last time out and maintain their positive start to their Champions League campagin.
We’ll have all the team news and updates throughout the evening so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 5.45pm
