Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool finished 3–2: Muriqi Ends Reds’ Perfect Champions League Start

Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool finished 3–2 in Istanbul on 4 November 2026, as Vedat Muriqi scored the winning goal in the 79th minute to end Liverpool’s perfect start to the UEFA Champions League league phase. Trey Nyoni and Alexander Isak had each put the Reds ahead, but Fenerbahçe equalised twice before completing the comeback.

Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool turned on two rapid responses: the hosts levelled within four minutes of both Liverpool goals. Mason Greenwood’s free-kick, Archie Brown’s finish and Muriqi’s header delivered a memorable home victory in a match Liverpool had led for two separate spells.

Liverpool took the lead in the 25th minute when Trey Nyoni struck his first senior goal for the club. A loose ball from a delivery into the penalty area fell to the young midfielder, whose shot found the net.

Fenerbahçe’s response came almost immediately. İrfan Can Kahveci hit the crossbar soon after Nyoni’s opener, before Mason Greenwood restored parity in the 29th minute with a deflected free-kick that wrong-footed Alisson Becker. The teams went into half-time level at 1–1.

Liverpool pressed for a second goal after the restart, with chances for Alexis Mac Allister and Virgil van Dijk. Fenerbahçe goalkeeper Ederson also denied the visitors as the game remained open.

The breakthrough finally arrived for Liverpool in the 69th minute. Cody Gakpo, introduced from the bench, crossed from the left for fellow substitute Alexander Isak to head home from close range. It put the visitors 2–1 ahead, but that advantage lasted only four minutes.

Archie Brown arrived at the far post to finish from a short-corner move in the 73rd minute. Six minutes later, substitute Vedat Muriqi met a high delivery with a header into the bottom corner to put Fenerbahçe in front for the first time. Liverpool could not find another equaliser.

Liverpool’s two leads lasted only four minutes each: Nyoni scored in the 25th minute before Greenwood levelled in the 29th, while Isak scored in the 69th before Brown made it 2–2 in the 73rd. The timing of those goals prevented the Reds from turning either advantage into control of the result.

There were distinct defensive problems in all three Fenerbahçe goals. Greenwood’s set-piece took a deflection, Brown benefited from Liverpool failing to deal with a corner routine, and Muriqi was able to direct a decisive header beyond Alisson. The final score reflected Fenerbahçe’s finishing in decisive moments rather than sustained control of possession.

Liverpool had the greater share of possession and attempted more shots, but neither statistic guaranteed a result. Fenerbahçe were more effective when openings appeared and found a way to capitalise on the visitors’ defensive errors.

Vedat Muriqi came on for Romelu Lukaku in the 63rd minute and scored the decisive goal 16 minutes later. His physical presence gave the hosts another option in the penalty area, and his winning header followed a delivery Liverpool failed to clear.

Brown was also central to the late turnaround. In addition to scoring Fenerbahçe’s second equaliser, he helped create the winner, turning the closing stages from a Liverpool advantage into a home victory.

Liverpool’s defeat ended their run of three wins from their first three Champions League matches in 2026/27. They completed Matchday 4 with nine points from four games rather than the maximum 12.

For Fenerbahçe, the three points strengthened their position in the competition and gave them a significant result against a side that had arrived with a perfect record. The clubs are competing in a single 36-team league phase, with each playing eight matches before the knockout-stage places are decided.

For the changing table, remaining schedule and other completed games, see our 2026/27 Champions League fixtures and results.

Follow Liverpool’s next Champions League fixtures, updated scores and league standings through SportPesa Score. The match result in this report is final; the remaining competition schedule and standings will change as more games are played.

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Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool will be remembered for the two leads Liverpool surrendered and Muriqi’s 79th-minute winner. For the Reds, the focus now shifts to avoiding similarly costly defensive errors in their remaining league-phase fixtures. Follow the latest results and competition standings on SportPesa Score.