Fenerbahçe – Liverpool: preview
We provide predictions for the match between Fenerbahçe and Liverpool in the fourth round of the Champions League group stage 2026/27.
"Liverpool", with tense relations with Istanbul, will play at home against "Fenerbahçe" in the fourth round of the Champions League.
Key moments
1. "Fenerbahçe" is actively seeking a new coach
Ismail Kartal, who tried to stay with the team after the 1:1 draw with "Roma" in the Champions League, left anyway. He departed due to exhaustion and after the loss in the derby against "Galatasaray" (1:2). Dirk Kuyt temporarily took charge. The Dutchman's debut as caretaker resulted in a home defeat against "Göztepe" (1:2). The obvious candidate for the coaching position is Portuguese Sérgio Conceição. When he takes over the "canaries" remains an open question, so we focus on Dirk Kuyt. In the Champions League, "Fenerbahçe" has not yet won: the only consolation against the humiliation by "Aston Villa" (0:6) are the draws with "Sparta" (2:2) and "Roma" (1:1).
2. Three central defenders and Asensio injured. Greenwood back to training
It is difficult when simultaneously Jaden Oosterwalde, Nathan Ache and Kojo Oppong are lost. Oppong was injured in the match against "Göztepe". In the encounter with Liverpool, alongside Milan Škriniar, Yusuf Demir will be tested, unless surprises. The team is forced to do without the main playmaker in midfield: Marcos Asensio, whose return is expected in January 2027. After an illness, Mason Greenwood returned to training. The winger will be useful at least as a substitute. Forward Vedad Muriki, in the last two matches, only appeared as a substitute, but can surpass Romelu Lukaku in the fight for the starting spot, whose goals are very, very modest.
3. "Fenerbahçe" tries to compete in home matches in European tournaments
The state of the "canaries" is not the best, but the team, even without a main coach, should not give up without fighting in front of their fans, as happened with "Göztepe". Players must be ready for the encounter with "Liverpool", a high‑level rival that does not need a presentation. In European tournaments, the team tries to compete: from the early qualifying rounds, without defeats. In the last 12 matches, "Fener" has five wins, five draws and two losses, both against Premier League teams: "Nottingham Forest" (0:3) and "Aston Villa" (0:1). We highlight the offensive side: in 12 matches, the "canaries" scored 16 goals and only missed in three games.
1. "Liverpool" lost to "Arsenal" in the Champions League
The team of Anson Dorrance (Anson Irala?) was more active for most of the match than "Arsenal" (0:1), but was stopped by the opponent's quick goal, which turned out to be the only one. The defeat slightly halted "Liverpool"'s progress and confirmed that, for now, the "reds" are not fully ready for the title fight in the EPL. But we switch to the Champions League and see that here the "reds" have won 100% of the possible points thanks to victories over "Atlético" (2:1), "LASC" (6:3) and "Villarreal" (4:3). Three more points with "Fenerbahçe" will strengthen the team's position in the top‑8.
2. Soboslaí and Múnez return after injuries
In "Liverpool", forward Hugo Ekitike and centre‑back Giovanni Leoní remain out due to serious injuries. The full‑back Jeremy Frimpong will return alone after the international break, and midfielder Connor Bradley only in December. It is good that Dominic Soboslaí and Víctor Múnez have recovered. The forward played half an hour with "Arsenal" and, in theory, is ready to start from the beginning in Istanbul. With Víctor Múnez it is harder, but on the right in attack the favourite is Rio Ngumoh. In the forward line, Luis Kumas will replace Alexander Isaac by tradition.
3. Irala must break Liverpool's negative associations with Istanbul
Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is the 2004/05 Champions League final, when "Liverpool" was 3:0, but allowed "Milan" to level the score and then win on penalties. But it is not the only case where the "reds"' visits to Istanbul ended badly.
In the 21st century, "Liverpool" has played four times at home against "Galatasaray" (draw and three defeats) and twice against "Besiktas" (0:1, 1:2). Exception: the UEFA Super Cup match against "Chelsea" at the "Besiktas" stadium: draw in regular time and win on penalties. Thus, with "Fenerbahçe" "Liverpool" has not yet played. Perhaps this experience will be successful for the Merseysiders.
Approximate formations 4-3-34-2-3-131Morales3Brown14Demir37Škriniar27Semedu91Kante5Yuxek6Gunduz70Aydin19Muriki7Akturkoglu1Bekir2Gomes5Jacque4Van Deijk21Cimikas8Soboslaí38Gravenbergh73Ngumoh10Malallister18Gakpo67Kumas
Prediction Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool 04.11.2026 21:45
"Fenerbahçe" is at a crossroads. Coach Ismail Kartal left the team, Dirk Kuyt is a temporary option. Sérgio Conceição is approaching, but how his arrival will affect the game against "Liverpool"? It is clear that the rival's name and their fans must make the team play at its best. But we remember that "Aston Villa" recently crushed the "canaries" with a 6:0, and the "birds" have problems in central defence due to injuries.
"Liverpool" lost at home to "Arsenal" in the last EPL match. If we draw global conclusions, the team under the direction of Anson Irala is probably not ready for the title fight. But in the Champions League, the "reds" have serious plans. At least "Liverpool" has won nine points out of nine possible. Trips to Istanbul usually end badly for "Liverpool" — against any rival. But "Fenerbahçe" seems a rival with which this series of failures can be broken.
Prediction: 1-3
