Fenerbahce 3-2 Liverpool: Muriqi header ends Iraola's perfect Champions League start

Liverpool's 100 per cent Champions League record is over. Andoni Iraola's side led twice in Istanbul on Wednesday but lost 3-2 to Fenerbahce, with substitute Vedat Muriqi heading the winner 11 minutes from time. The match kicked off at 1.45am Malaysia time on Thursday and left Liverpool with nine points from four league-phase games.

Nyoni strikes first, Greenwood hits back

Iraola made five changes after Sunday's 1-0 Premier League defeat to Arsenal, resting three of his regular front four. One of those given a chance, 19-year-old midfielder Trey Nyoni, opened the scoring on 25 minutes with a finish from inside the box. ESPN noted he became Liverpool's youngest scorer on a Champions League debut.

The lead lasted four minutes. Mason Greenwood, who joined Fenerbahce from Marseille in July, curled a free kick that took a deflection off Jeremy Jacquet and beat Alisson. The sides went in level at the break.

Isak restores lead, then Liverpool unravel

Liverpool turned to their bench on 66 minutes, sending on Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz. The change paid off quickly: three minutes later Gakpo crossed and Isak headed in from close range to make it 2-1.

The response from the home side was swift. Archie Brown, Fenerbahce's left-back, tapped in an equaliser on 73 minutes after a corner was not cleared. Six minutes later Brown turned provider, crossing for Muriqi, who had replaced Romelu Lukaku just after the hour, and the Kosovo striker outjumped Liverpool's defenders to head in the winner.

Liverpool could not find a third goal in the closing stages, and Alexis Mac Allister was booked late on as frustration grew. Reports from ESPN pointed to the loss of control after taking the lead, rather than the rotation itself, as the main reason for the defeat.

What the result means in the table

Before kick-off Liverpool were among the competition's perfect starters. They now have three wins and one defeat, nine points and a goal difference of plus four, sitting in a group of clubs level on points around eighth place. Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid lead the 36-team league phase on 12 points each.

For Fenerbahce, it was a first win of the campaign after a draw-heavy start. They have five points from four games (one win, two draws, one defeat) and move to 18th, inside the knockout play-off places that cover ninth to 24th.

Fenerbahce's line-up underlined the experience in their squad: Ederson in goal, Milan Skriniar in defence, and N'Golo Kante and Matteo Guendouzi in midfield, with Lukaku leading the line until he made way for Muriqi.

Fixture squeeze for Liverpool

The defeat comes during a demanding run for Iraola's side, who according to ESPN had played nine games in 27 days going into the trip to Turkey.

Matchday 5 sends Liverpool to Club Brugge on Wednesday 25 November, while Fenerbahce visit Shakhtar Donetsk the same night. Both games are scheduled for 9pm CET, which is 4am on Thursday 26 November in Malaysia.

Key takeaways

• Fenerbahce beat Liverpool 3-2 in Istanbul after trailing twice.
• Trey Nyoni and Alexander Isak scored for Liverpool; Mason Greenwood, Archie Brown and Vedat Muriqi replied.
• Muriqi came off the bench to head the 79th-minute winner from Brown's cross.
• Liverpool drop their first points and stay on nine; Fenerbahce rise to 18th with five.
• Liverpool visit Club Brugge next, at 4am MYT on 26 November.

FAQ

Who scored in Fenerbahce vs Liverpool? Trey Nyoni (25') and Alexander Isak (69') scored for Liverpool. Mason Greenwood (29'), Archie Brown (73') and Vedat Muriqi (79') scored for Fenerbahce.

Is this Liverpool's first Champions League defeat this season? Yes. Liverpool had won their first three league-phase matches before losing in Istanbul on 4 November 2026.

When is Liverpool's next Champions League match in Malaysia time? Liverpool play Club Brugge away on 25 November at 9pm CET, which is 4am on Thursday 26 November in Malaysia.

Sources: ESPN, VAVEL, Yahoo Sports, Sky Sports, UEFA