Muriqi seals Fenerbahce comeback as Liverpool lose perfect European record

Vedat Muriqi scored the decisive goal as Fenerbahce beat Liverpool 3-2 in Istanbul on Wednesday, recovering from two deficits to end the English club’s perfect Champions League start. According to The Guardian’s match report, the victory opened Dirk Kuyt’s interim spell in charge, while Liverpool suffered a second consecutive defeat following their loss to Arsenal on Sunday.

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Liverpool had opportunities to establish an early advantage, with Victor Muñoz and Bradley Barcola failing to convert a Kostas Tsimikas delivery and Jérémy Jacquet heading wide from a corner. At the other end, Fenerbahce appealed for a penalty after Mason Greenwood went down following contact from Tsimikas. Referee Clément Turpin and the video assistant referee did not award a spot-kick.

Trey Nyoni then put the visitors ahead with his first senior goal. Rio Ngumoha’s blocked shot helped create the opening, and an attempted clearance of Dominik Szoboszlai’s subsequent cross reached Nyoni outside the box. His low volley beat Ederson after a slight deflection from Kojo Peprah Oppong. Fenerbahce responded through Greenwood, whose free-kick struck Jacquet and changed direction, leaving Alisson unable to stop the equaliser.

The home side created further chances before the interval. Greenwood and N’Golo Kanté both missed opportunities, while Alisson saved another Greenwood effort. Liverpool regained control after the break and went back in front through two substitutes: Cody Gakpo supplied a cross from the left, and Alexander Isak headed in from close range. Both had entered the match only three minutes earlier.

That advantage also proved brief. Following a corner, Kanté sent the ball back across goal and Gakpo’s attempted headed clearance diverted it away from Alisson. Archie Brown was left with a straightforward finish at the far post, bringing Fenerbahce level for the second time and cancelling out the immediate impact of Liverpool’s attacking changes.

Brown then provided the cross for the winner. Muriqi, who had replaced Romelu Lukaku during the second half, resisted pressure from Jacquet, Alexis Mac Allister and Nyoni before heading into the bottom corner. His contribution completed the turnaround for Kuyt’s side and left Liverpool with no points from a match in which they had twice held the lead.