Fenerbahce stun Liverpool with late comeback to end perfect Champions League run
Vedat Muriqi's late header completed a 3-2 comeback win for Fenerbahce in Istanbul, handing Liverpool their first Champions League defeat of the season and a second straight loss.
Liverpool's unbeaten start to this season's Champions League campaign ended in Istanbul as Fenerbahce came from behind twice to win 3-2 at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.
Trey Nyoni opened the scoring with his first senior goal before substitute Alexander Isak headed Liverpool back in front, but Fenerbahce responded to both leads and snatched victory through a Vedat Muriqi header late on.
Mason Greenwood's deflected free-kick brought the hosts level for the first time, and Archie Brown restored parity again before Muriqi settled the contest, according to Guardian Football.
The result launched Dirk Kuyt's interim reign as Fenerbahce manager with a win, while compounding a miserable week for Andoni Iraola's Liverpool, who had arrived in Turkey looking to address problems in attack only to concede three times at the other end, Guardian Football reported.
Andy Hunter of Guardian Football described the defeat as careless and easily avoidable, noting it will frustrate Iraola as much as Sunday's loss to Arsenal did, with Bradley Barcola's quiet performance up front an additional concern for the Liverpool head coach.
The defeat is Liverpool's second in succession to open November, following their loss to Arsenal, though Sky Sports Football noted the club remain well placed to reach the knockout stages of the competition after winning their previous three group matches.
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock singled out Alisson Becker for criticism over Fenerbahce's second goal, arguing the goalkeeper's hesitancy allowed Brown to score from close range.
Speaking on MOTD: UEFA Champions League for BBC Sport, as relayed by Yahoo Sports, Warnock said: "That's another soft goal conceded by Liverpool but this one was more down to Alisson not coming to claim the ball – and either cleaning out Gakpo or letting him know he is coming."
He added: "I just watched the replay and there was definitely no shout… that's a lack of concentration from the goalkeeper, and it has cost his side."
Yahoo Sports noted that Alisson had earlier bailed his teammates out following sloppy errors near the penalty area, but was unusually slow to react as the cross came in for Brown's equaliser.
Cody Gakpo's attempted headed clearance looped back into danger, while Dominik Szoboszlai failed to track Brown's run, allowing the left-back a simple finish, Yahoo Sports reported.
Liverpool were also found wanting for Muriqi's winner, with the outlet describing the goal as the product of a collective breakdown in defence rather than an individual error.
Despite the setback, Liverpool's position in the Champions League remains secure for now given their earlier results in the competition, leaving Iraola to address the defensive lapses that have undone two leads in Istanbul before their next European fixture.