Fenerbahce mounted a stunning second-half comeback to defeat Liverpool 3-2 in Istanbul, a result that interim coach and former Liverpool hero Dirk Kuyt described as a "miracle." The Turkish side overturned a deficit after Liverpool had taken the lead for a second time in the match.
Liverpool seemed poised for a significant away victory when Alexander Isak scored in the 69th minute. However, Fenerbahce rallied, with all three of their goals coming from set pieces. Mason Greenwood opened the scoring for the hosts with a deflected free-kick, followed by a tap-in from Archie Brown after Cody Gakpo's header inadvertently found him. Vedat Muriqi then secured the win with a header past Alisson.
Manager Andoni Iraola characterized the goals conceded by Liverpool as "cheap" and "messy." He noted the difficulty of communication in the noisy stadium, suggesting it may have contributed to defensive errors. "Mistakes can cost you," Iraola stated, highlighting the sequence of play for the final goal.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock, watching the match, felt the result represented a "step back" for the team, citing recurring issues with conceding goals from set pieces and open play. He observed that Liverpool struggled to close out the game, a trait he contrasted with teams like Arsenal.
Dirk Kuyt, who played for Liverpool during their famed 2005 Champions League win in Istanbul, emphasized the spirit of his Fenerbahce team. "We made a miracle tonight – not many expected us to win," Kuyt said. He expressed pride in his players, particularly Archie Brown, who contributed a goal and an assist. This victory marked Fenerbahce's first win against an English side in 18 years.
The result ends Liverpool's five-game winning streak and marks their second loss in four days, following a recent defeat against Arsenal. Fenerbahce, despite a challenging season, delivered a memorable performance that underscored their potential. Kuyt will hand over the coaching reins to Emre Belozoglu officially on Thursday.