Liverpool head to Istanbul on Wednesday evening with a perfect Champions League record and a few uncomfortable questions hanging over them. Sunday’s controversial defeat to Arsenal ended a five-game winning streak, leaving Andoni Iraola with the familiar challenge of restoring momentum before frustration becomes something more damaging.
Three victories from three European fixtures, against Atletico Madrid, LASK and Villarreal, suggest Liverpool are finding something in the Champions League that has occasionally escaped them domestically. There is greater freedom in their attacking play, more space to exploit and growing evidence that Iraola’s ideas are beginning to take hold.
Fenerbahce, meanwhile, are struggling. Their domestic form has deteriorated, their European campaign has been disappointing and former Liverpool favourite Dirk Kuyt has recently taken charge.
Yet Istanbul has a habit of making fools of visiting teams who arrive expecting an easy evening.
Fenerbahce Form Makes Liverpool Favourites, Istanbul Makes Them Vulnerable
Fenerbahce’s recent results make grim reading. They sit sixth domestically and 31st in the Champions League standings, having suffered a humiliating 6-0 defeat against Aston Villa.
Their squad contains considerable experience, including Ederson, Milan Skriniar, N’Golo Kante, Matteo Guendouzi and Romelu Lukaku. These are familiar names with impressive careers behind them, although questions remain about whether they can collectively cope with Liverpool’s younger, quicker attacking players.
I would expect Liverpool to exploit that lack of mobility, particularly through the likes of Rio Ngumoha and Victor Munoz.
However, there is a significant psychological obstacle.
Liverpool have historically struggled away against Turkish opposition, recording just one victory in eight such fixtures. The hostility inside these grounds rarely disappears after the opening exchanges. Every tackle, misplaced pass and refereeing decision becomes another opportunity for the crowd to influence proceedings.
Iraola’s players must demonstrate composure throughout the contest.
Fenerbahce will be desperate to respond to their recent difficulties, and Kuyt’s Liverpool connections provide another intriguing dimension to an already emotionally charged occasion.
Champions League Performances Reveal Liverpool’s Attacking Potential
One of the more revealing aspects of Liverpool’s season has been the difference between their attacking output in domestic and European competition.
In the Premier League, Liverpool have created just seven big chances, placing them 19th in that particular measure. Across their opening three Champions League fixtures, they have already created 12.
That disparity deserves attention.
European opponents have generally afforded Liverpool greater space between the lines. Florian Wirtz has benefited from the additional time to receive possession and influence attacking moves, while Liverpool’s wide players have found more opportunities to isolate defenders.
The 6-3 victory over LASK undoubtedly influences those figures, but the broader pattern remains encouraging.
Iraola is still developing this Liverpool side. His approach requires movement, positional discipline and confidence in possession. Those qualities have emerged more consistently in Europe.
There is also a growing sense that Liverpool could become particularly dangerous in knockout football this season. Their inconsistency makes sustaining a Premier League title challenge difficult, while their attacking quality gives them the ability to trouble almost anybody over individual European fixtures.
For that potential to become meaningful, Liverpool must learn to carry their Champions League confidence into domestic matches.
Liverpool Team News Forces Iraola Into Difficult Selection Decisions
Ryan Gravenberch’s absence with a heel injury complicates Liverpool’s midfield options.
His failure to feature against Arsenal had raised questions about his position in the squad, but the injury provides a straightforward explanation.
Dominik Szoboszlai and Victor Munoz both returned from the bench on Sunday, making their availability particularly valuable.
I would bring Szoboszlai into midfield alongside Trey Nyoni, although managing the youngster’s workload remains important. Nyoni has shown encouraging maturity, but Liverpool must resist demanding too much from him during a congested schedule.
Jeremie Frimpong, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Hugo Ekitike remain unavailable.
Defensively, Joe Gomez offers a sensible option at right-back, allowing Ronald Araujo to partner Virgil van Dijk centrally. Kostas Tsimikas could provide fresh legs on the opposite flank.
Further forward, Ngumoha deserves another opportunity. His pace could prove particularly effective against experienced defenders who may struggle when forced to turn towards their own goal.
I would also start Gakpo centrally, with Munoz offering movement and directness from the right.
Iraola has generally avoided wholesale rotation, and that approach makes sense here. Liverpool need rhythm, particularly after Sunday’s disappointment, and excessive changes risk disrupting the understanding developing between players.
Fenerbahce vs Liverpool Prediction: A Difficult Night in Istanbul
Liverpool have the quality to win this match. Their superior attacking options and encouraging Champions League form should give them confidence.
However, the physical demands of recent fixtures, Gravenberch’s absence and the intimidating atmosphere make this a dangerous assignment.
There is also the question of priorities. Liverpool face Crystal Palace before the international break, another fixture carrying considerable importance after their recent domestic setbacks.
Three points in Istanbul would strengthen Liverpool’s position considerably in the race for automatic qualification to the Champions League last 16. Nevertheless, a draw would preserve their unbeaten European record and leave them well placed after four matches.
I expect Liverpool to enjoy spells of attacking superiority, particularly when Wirtz finds space behind Fenerbahce’s midfield. Equally, I suspect the hosts will produce a more committed performance than their recent results suggest.
Liverpool’s progress under Iraola remains encouraging, although their capacity to control difficult away matches still requires improvement.
Score Prediction: Fenerbahce 1-1 Liverpool.
A frustrating result perhaps, but one that would keep Liverpool’s Champions League campaign moving in the right direction.