Figure caption,

Liverpool suffer first Champions League loss to Fenerbahce

By
Football reporter in Istanbul

Liverpool's 100% record in the Champions League was ended by a remarkable comeback from Dirk Kuyt's Fenerbahce.

Alexander Isak came off the bench to restore Liverpool's lead midway through the second half after former Manchester United forward Mason Greenwood cancelled out Trey Nyoni's opener.

However, two goals in quick succession from Englishman Archie Brown and Vedat Muriqi gave Fenerbahce a stunning victory inside a raucous Sukru Saracoglu stadium.

Kuyt, who previously played for Liverpool and Fenerbahce, has been serving as interim head coach of the Turkish side - with former Newcastle player Emre Belozoglu to take over on a permanent basis on Thursday.

This turned into a special night for the Dutchman as Fenerbahce won for the first time in the Champions League this season.

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola made five changes following the weekend defeat by Arsenal, with Bradley Barcola starting as the team's striker.

Fenerbahce's starting XI boasted over 1,000 Premier League appearances between them, containing the likes of Ederson, Ngolo Kante and Romelu Lukaku.

Liverpool started strongly and led when Nyoni's volley took a deflection off Kojo Peprah Oppong and went past Ederson.

It was the 19-year-old's first goal for the club and Liverpool's first goal against a Turkish side in Turkey since Kuyt scored against Trabzonspor in 2010.

The home side responded swiftly as Greenwood's free-kick deflected off Jeremy Jacquet and beat Alisson.

Both managers turned to the bench after the break, with Iraola throwing on Isak, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo. Gakpo and Isak combined to restore Liverpool's advantage, with the latter heading in from close range.

But a spirited Fenerbahce side drew level just four minutes later when Gakpo's header from Kante's cross took the ball away from Alisson and Brown tapped in from close range.

Brown - born in Birmingham - then turned provider when Liverpool failed to deal with his cross and Muriqi headed into the right corner.

Liverpool have happy memories in Istanbul, winning the 2005 Champions League in the Turkish city, but have now lost six consecutive games against Turkish sides here.

Figure caption,

Lewis Aspinall: 'It was passive and woeful at points'

Liverpool ratings

Alisson: Deflection off Jacquet for Greenwood's goal gave him little chance. Unlucky for the second goal but should have done better for the winner. 5

Joe Gomez: Started at right-back, but like fellow full-back Kostas Tsimikas he found it hard to deal with Greenwood when the Fenerbahce winger switched flanks. 5

Virgil van Dijk: Not a bad display from the Liverpool skipper but will know his side should never have lost this game. 6

Jeremy Jacquet: Missed a big chance early on and was guilty of turning his back for Greenwood's free-kick as the deflection off him went past Alisson. 5

Kostas Tsimikas: Didn't offer much going forward and made far too many mistakes defensively. Struggled against Greenwood. 4

Trey Nyoni: Trusted to start again and was assured in possession. Memorably scored his first Liverpool goal, but this was a real test. 7

Alexis Mac Allister: Was good on the ball, but like some other team-mates he has to take more responsibility as one of the seniors. 5

Victor Munoz: Another impressive display. Had an early effort saved and caused havoc down Fenerbahce's left side. Unafraid to take his man on. 7

Dominik Szoboszlai: Made his first start since October 17. Gave away the free-kick that led to the leveller. 5

Rio Ngumoha: Always a threat with the ball but needed to help out Tsimikas a bit more defensively. Liverpool didn't get him on the ball enough. 6

Bradley Barcola: Started as the centre-forward and bar one effort from distance, was ineffective. Had a really quiet game. 5

Subs:

Cody Gakpo (on 66, Ngumoha): Made a difference when he came on. Got the assist for Isak but made a mistake for Fenerbahce's second goal. 6

Florian Wirtz (on 66, Gomez): Didn't do anything of note. 5

Alexander Isak (on 66, Munoz): Scored shortly after he came on. 7

Milos Kerkez (on 76, Tsimikas)

Lewis Koumas (on 85, Nyoni)

Subs not used: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Araujo, Chambers, McConnell, Danns.

Player of the match

Number: 91 N. Kanté
Average rating 7.66
Number: 91 N. Kanté
Average Rating: 7.66
Number: 3 A. Brown
Average Rating: 7.43
Number: 19 V. Muriqi
Average Rating: 7.30
Number: 11 M. Greenwood
Average Rating: 7.29
Number: 27 Nélson Semedo
Average Rating: 7.19
Number: 5 İ. Yüksek
Average Rating: 7.17
Number: 17 İ. Kahveci
Average Rating: 7.13
Number: 37 M. Škriniar
Average Rating: 7.11
Number: 21 K. Peprah Oppong
Average Rating: 7.10
Number: 6 M. Guendouzi
Average Rating: 7.08
Number: 70 O. Aydın
Average Rating: 7.06
Number: 7 K. Aktürkoğlu
Average Rating: 7.05
Number: 18 M. Müldür
Average Rating: 6.99
Number: 9 R. Lukaku
Average Rating: 6.92
Number: 31 Ederson
Average Rating: 6.88

After the opportunity to rate players has closed, the score displayed represents the average from all the submissions by BBC Sport users.

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