Muriqi winner lifts Fenerbahce past Liverpool after two comebacks

Fenerbahce came from behind twice to defeat Liverpool 3-2 in Istanbul on Wednesday, with Vedat Muriqi heading the winner in the 79th minute. Sky Sports reported that the result ended Liverpool's unbeaten start to this Champions League campaign and gave the Turkish club their first victory of the league phase.

Watch the highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKpbi9wo_QE

Trey Nyoni put Liverpool ahead after 25 minutes with his first professional goal, a volley that took a deflection and beat Ederson. Four minutes later, Mason Greenwood equalised when his free-kick struck Jeremy Jacquet on its way past Alisson. Liverpool therefore reached the interval level despite having made the breakthrough.

Andoni Iraola turned to his bench in the second half, introducing Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Cody Gakpo. According to Sky Sports, Isak scored with his first touch, heading in Gakpo's delivery in the 69th minute. Liverpool's second lead lasted only four minutes: Archie Brown equalised in the 73rd before Muriqi completed the turnaround six minutes later.

BBC Sport reported that all three Fenerbahce goals originated from set-pieces. For the second equaliser, Gakpo's header carried the ball beyond Alisson and left Brown to finish. The winning goal followed a throw-in, with Liverpool unable to deal with Brown's high ball into the area and Muriqi beating three defenders to head it home. Brown finished the match with a goal and an assist.

Iraola criticised the manner of the goals his side conceded and said the noise inside the stadium had made communication difficult, including between Gakpo and Alisson. The defeat was Liverpool's second in four days, following their loss to Arsenal on Sunday. Before those two setbacks, they had won five consecutive matches, BBC Sport reported.

For interim Fenerbahce coach Dirk Kuyt, the win came against the club where he spent six years as a player. He said he had urged his team to stay united, drawing on lessons from his Liverpool career. BBC Sport reported that Kuyt will now step aside for Emre Belozoglu, with the handover following a victory secured despite Liverpool twice taking the lead.