Fenerbahce 3-2 Liverpool: Late Muriqi header ends Reds' perfect UCL run
Synopsis
Liverpool arrived in Istanbul unbeaten in three Champions League games — they left with a second successive defeat. Fenerbahce overturned a Liverpool lead not once but twice, with Muriqi's late header the killer blow, and interim boss Dirk Kuyt — a former Red — signed off in the most dramatic fashion possible before handing over to Emre Belozoglu on Thursday.
Key Takeaways
Fenerbahce defeated Liverpool 3-2 at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on 5 November 2026 .
Vedat Muriqi scored the decisive header in the 79th minute to end Liverpool's unbeaten Champions League run.
Liverpool had led twice — through Trey Nyoni (25') and Alexander Isak (69') — before being pegged back on both occasions.
N'Golo Kante and Archie Brown combined to level at 2-2 , with an inadvertent deflection from substitute Cody Gakpo playing a key role.
Interim manager Dirk Kuyt oversaw the win ahead of permanent appointment Emre Belozoglu taking charge on Thursday.
Liverpool have now lost back-to-back fixtures, following their earlier defeat to Arsenal .
Fenerbahce staged a stunning late comeback to defeat Liverpool 3-2 at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on 5 November 2026, ending the Premier League side's perfect UEFA Champions League record after three straight wins. Vedat Muriqi's 79th-minute header proved the decisive blow in a contest that swung back and forth across both halves.
How the Goals Unfolded
Liverpool struck first in the 25th minute through 19-year-old Trey Nyoni, who capitalised on a defensive clearance to unleash a volley that deflected off Kojo Peprah Oppong and looped beyond goalkeeper Ederson. The lead lasted barely four minutes — Mason Greenwood's free-kick deflected off Jeremy Jacquet in the Liverpool wall and crept past Alisson Becker to level matters at 1-1.
The second half appeared to tilt Liverpool's way when manager Andoni Iraola introduced Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo. The two combined smartly in the 69th minute: Gakpo fed the ball from the left after linking with Kostas Tsimikas, and Isak rose inside the box to power a header home, restoring Liverpool's lead at 2-1.
Fenerbahce's Dramatic Turnaround
Fenerbahce needed only four minutes to level again. N'Golo Kante's delivery from a short corner was inadvertently redirected by Gakpo himself, gifting Archie Brown a finish at the far post with Alisson stranded. Brown then became the architect of the winner — his ball back into the penalty area from a long throw found Muriqi, who, surrounded by defenders, guided a precise header into the right corner in the 79th minute.
Significance for Both Clubs
The defeat hands Liverpool back-to-back losses following their weekend reverse against Arsenal, with Iraola having made five changes from that fixture. The Reds must now regroup in the Champions League group stage having surrendered their 100% record.
For Fenerbahce, it represents a first win of the campaign and a memorable European evening in Istanbul. Notably, the match was overseen by interim manager Dirk Kuyt — a former player at both clubs — who is set to hand over to permanent appointment Emre Belozoglu on Thursday.
What This Means Going Forward
Liverpool's consecutive defeats raise questions about squad depth and their ability to manage rotation effectively across competitions. Fenerbahce, buoyed by this result and the impending arrival of a permanent manager, will look to build momentum in Europe. How Iraola steadies his squad ahead of the next fixture will be watched closely.
Point of View
And conceding twice from set-piece situations will alarm a coaching staff that prides itself on defensive structure. Fenerbahce's win, meanwhile, is worth more than three points: it arrives at a moment of managerial transition, giving Emre Belozoglu a buoyant dressing room on day one. The irony that Dirk Kuyt — a man synonymous with Liverpool's European nights — was the one to end this particular European run will not be lost on anyone watching.
NationPress
5 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score between Fenerbahce and Liverpool?
Fenerbahce defeated Liverpool 3-2 at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul on 5 November 2026. Vedat Muriqi's 79th-minute header proved the decisive goal in a contest Liverpool led twice.
Who scored for Liverpool against Fenerbahce?
Trey Nyoni opened the scoring in the 25th minute with a deflected volley, and Alexander Isak headed Liverpool back in front in the 69th minute after coming on as a substitute. Both goals were cancelled out before Muriqi's late winner.
Why is this result significant for Liverpool?
The defeat ended Liverpool's perfect UEFA Champions League start of three consecutive wins, and also handed the club back-to-back losses following a weekend defeat to Arsenal. It raises questions about squad depth and rotation management.
Who is Dirk Kuyt and why was he in charge of Fenerbahce?
Dirk Kuyt is a former professional footballer who played for both Liverpool and Fenerbahce during his career. He was serving as Fenerbahce's interim manager, and oversaw this victory before handing the reins to permanent appointment Emre Belozoglu on Thursday.
How did Fenerbahce come back to win?
Fenerbahce levelled at 2-2 when N'Golo Kante's corner delivery was accidentally deflected in by Liverpool substitute Cody Gakpo, allowing Archie Brown to finish. Brown then set up Muriqi's winning header in the 79th minute after Liverpool failed to clear a long throw.
