Fenerbahce 3-2 Liverpool: Reds blow two leads as late collapse ends perfect Champions League start
Liverpool's unbeaten run in this season's Champions League came to an end in Istanbul, as they threw away a two-goal cushion to lose 3-2 away at Fenerbahce. The Reds had been flying in Europe, but this was a night to forget at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, with Sky Sports reporting it was Liverpool's first Champions League defeat of the campaign (Sky Sports).
Trey Nyoni gave Liverpool the lead after 25 minutes with a well-taken right-footed finish from the centre of the box, only for Mason Greenwood to level things up just four minutes later with a free-kick for the hosts. The sides went in level at the break, before Liverpool regained the lead through substitute Alexander Isak, who headed home a Cody Gakpo cross in the 69th minute. It looked like it might be enough, but Fenerbahce had other ideas.
Archie Brown, who'd been booked in the first half, volleyed in an equaliser from a corner just four minutes after Isak's goal, and then turned provider for Vedat Muriqi to head home the winner in the 79th minute, completing a stunning turnaround for the Turkish side. This Is Anfield summed up the mood succinctly with their headline describing the Reds throwing away the lead twice in a disappointing result (This Is Anfield).
The only other card of the night came late on when Alexis Mac Allister was booked for a bad foul in the closing stages, as Liverpool pushed for a leveller that never came. The Guardian's coverage pointed to defensive fragility being the story, noting Andoni Iraola had gone to Istanbul hoping to fix problems at the other end only to see holes appear at the back instead (The Guardian).
Liverpool dominated the underlying numbers, with 67.6% possession and 22 shots to Fenerbahce's 17, along with 12 corners to the hosts' four. Both sides had six shots on target, and it was ultimately clinical finishing and defensive lapses that decided it rather than overall control of the game.
There was plenty of reaction to pick through afterwards. Liverpool.com reported that Alisson was left "livid" with a teammate over the Fenerbahce equaliser in the first half (Liverpool.com), while the same outlet carried claims that the referee was criticised for a contentious decision that saw Liverpool escape a penalty (Liverpool.com). Former midfielder Steve McManaman was quoted by Liverpool.com as blasting a "disheveled" Reds showing after the defensive display (Liverpool.com), and Ally McCoist was also reported to have been critical of Alisson as the game turned (Liverpool.com).
On an individual level, Nyoni was widely praised as the shining light. Liverpool Echo's player ratings had him excellent on the night, though they marked Bradley Barcola down to 4/10 in a difficult evening further forward (Liverpool Echo). Liverpool.com's talking points piece similarly flagged the Barcola experiment as one that didn't pay off, with several other players also underperforming in Turkiye (Liverpool.com). The defeat leaves Liverpool to regroup as they sit fifth in the Premier League domestically, with plenty for Iraola to address before their next continental test.
Written with the help of AI, using the match facts and the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.
