Fenerbahçe look to derail Liverpool’s C/L express

November 4, 2026

2 minutes read

Fenerbahçe face a difficult test when they host Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League (CL) today, with the Turkish side desperate for their first victory in the competition and interim manager Dirk Kuyt preparing to take on his former club.

Fenerbahçe enter the contest under pressure after a disappointing start to their European campaign, collecting just two points from their opening three matches.

They have drawn 1-1 with Roma and 2-2 with Slavia Prague, with a heavy 6-0 defeat away to Aston Villa separating the two results.

The draw against Slavia was particularly frustrating for the Yellow Canaries, who surrendered a two-goal advantage at home.

Their domestic form has also deteriorated, with consecutive defeats against Galatasaray and Göztepe adding to the pressure ahead of Liverpool’s visit.

Fenerbahçe currently sit 31st in the 36-team league phase standings and need a positive result to revive their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages.

Liverpool, meanwhile, arrive in Istanbul with a perfect Champions League record, having won all three of their opening matches to collect nine points and move into third place.

The English side defeated Atletico Madrid 2-1 before recording a 6-3 victory over LASK and edging Villarreal 4-3 in an entertaining encounter.

Their 12 goals make them one of the competition’s most productive attacking sides after three rounds.

Today’s match will also mark the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.

Much of the attention will center on Fenerbahçe interim manager Dirk Kuyt, who will face the club where he established himself as a popular figure in English football.

The former Netherlands international spent six years at Liverpool between 2006 and 2012, scoring 71 goals in 285 appearances before joining Fenerbahçe in 2012.

Kuyt was appointed interim manager on Oct. 28 following İsmail Kartal’s resignation after Fenerbahçe’s 2-1 derby defeat to Galatasaray.

He took charge of his first match against Göztepe, but suffered another 2-1 defeat, leaving him searching for his first victory in the dugout.

His immediate task is to restore confidence in a side that has struggled defensively, particularly in Europe, while finding a way to contain Liverpool’s attacking threat.

The Dutchman will also be looking to use Fenerbahçe’s home advantage to end the club’s prolonged Champions League drought.

Fenerbahçe have gone nine consecutive matches without a victory in the Champions League’s main competition, their longest such run in the club’s history.

Their last win came on April 2, 2008, when they defeated Chelsea 2-1 in the quarterfinal first leg during a memorable European campaign under Brazilian coach Arthur Zico.

Since then, the Turkish side have recorded three draws and six defeats in the competition’s group and league phases.

Their return to the Champions League league phase this season marks their seventh appearance in the tournament, having previously competed in 1996-97, 2001-02, 2004-05, 2005-06, 2007-08 and 2008-09.

The 2007-08 campaign remains their most successful, with Fenerbahçe reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Chelsea 3-2 on aggregate.

Today’s encounter will be their 44th Champions League match. In their previous 43 appearances, they have recorded 11 wins, eight draws and 24 defeats, scoring 45 goals and conceding 79.

The Liverpool fixture will also mark Fenerbahçe’s 310th appearance in European competitions.-dailysabah

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