FENERBAHÇE SK VS. LIVERPOOL
| Wednesday, November 4th |
Champions League | Chobani Stadyumu
5:45PM BST/12:45PM EST
Feberbahçe currently sit sixth in the Turkish Süper Lig and find themselves in the elimination spaces (before the end of Tuesday’s matches) in the Champions League even though they have lost just one of three of their opening League Phase matches. They look to turn their season around under newly appointed — and familiar face — Dirk Kuyt, seeking their first win in a competition they return to for the first time
in almost two decades. It’s a big ask: they have won only one game in their last five, including a 2-1 loss for Kuyt’s men in the Süper Lig this past weekend.
Kuyt’s side have conceded nine goals thus far in the competition, though six of those came in their heavy loss away to Aston Villa. They have managed two home draws thus far, holding Roma to a 1-1 draw and most recently accepting a 2-2 draw with Slavia Praha.
Liverpool face some familiar — though not friendly — faces on Wednesday: Ederson is Fenerbahçe’s first choice goalkeeper, though could be benched in fabor of Mert Günok. Stretching further back in time, we should see Mattéo Guendouzi in midfield, where he could well be joined by 35-year-old N’Golo Kanté who I am sure would love to put in his customary 9/10 performance against the Reds, specifically.
The veteran striker Romelu Lukaku often features in Fenerbahçe’s attack, and, more controversially, Mason Greenwood has played all nine matches for the Turkish side.
Nathan Aké and Marco Asensio are familiar faces who are unavailable for this match through injury, along with Jayden Oosterwolde. Elsewhere on the injury report, defender Kojo Peprah Oppong is doubtful.
All this is to say that while Fenerbahçe is not a familiar opponent for Liverpool, the squad itself could end up being quite familiar to those of us tuning in.
Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1)
Alisson; Araújo, Gomez, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Nyoni, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Barcola; Isak
Meanwhile Liverpool look to make it four wins from four in the Champions League, as Andoni Iraola balances fitness concerns with the desire to maintain their strong position in the European Cup. Ryan Gravenberch was left out of the traveling squad as he looks to overcome a heel fracture that he has been playing with for an unspecified amount of time. Trey Nyoni is available and has the “trust” of the Liverpool boss, with Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endō not available for this one as they were not named in the 22-man Champions League squad for the Reds. A midfield of Nyoni and an experienced player — either Dominik Szoboszlai or Alexis Mac Allister — is likely, perhaps with the experienced players splitting the time. Florian Wirtz will likely be asked to go again due to his central importance to the plan of attack.
Rotation is likely to come in the defense, with Joe Gomez liable to start so as to give one of Ronald Araújo, Jeremy Jacquet, or Virgil Van Dijk. Kostas Tsimikas could step in for Miloš Kerkez on the left.
As ever, Iraola has the most choices in attack. Cody Gakpo, who has returned to full fitness relatively recently, might get a rest here after starting a lot recently. Bradley Barcola will be hungry to add to his Champions League goal tally and could see another start here. On the other side, both Víctor Muñoz and Rio Ngumoha will want the nod, and Alexander Isak and Lewis Koumas will have a similar coin flip up front — the choices here come down to who Iraola would want to see come off the bench.
Since the match is in the early window, Liverpool will have slightly less rest than the usual gap to Wednesday provides — especially given the travel to Türkiye. Though the Reds are in a strong position on the League Phase table, taking three more points here would make the latter stages far less stressful for Liverpool. There’s an argument, therefore, for Iraola to field the strongest possible team while making space for minor rotation.
The Managers Have Their Say
Andoni Iraola: “Fenerbahçe is a team that has very good players. In the midfield they have a very good technical level. If we allow them a lot of time on the ball or we don’t press them properly, we are going to suffer. I think we have to be good in our press, I think we have to try to control the game, don’t allow them to win confidence, because also they are experienced players, they know how to play these kind of games in this competition. The stronger we start, the less chances we should give to Fenerbahce, because otherwise they are going to be dangerous.
Dirk Kuyt: “First of all, it was a really special achievement to reach the Champions League for the first time in 18 years for Fenerbahçe. That was something really exciting and at the moment you reach that stage you know you’re going to play against very exciting teams. As soon as the draw came up, as a technical member of the staff I was really excited because everyone knows how much Fenerbahce and Liverpool mean to me. From that moment, you know it’s going be a special occasion.
“Of course tomorrow will be a very, very special occasion for me. But at the stage we are in, I’m not the important person. It’s the club. Romelu [Lukaku] was speaking about how important it is to show the fans – who deserve much more – a reaction of positive energy and a good performance. We have really good players but we need to show up. When we show up tomorrow with good energy, with passion and there to play, I think it can be a very special night. Liverpool are an amazing team but so are Fenerbahçe. If the fans will show up, I think Europe will see how big this fan base is.”
The Officials
Referee: Badat Hisjobman Assistants: Scott Ledger, Akil HowsonFourth Official: Michael Oliver VAR: Michael Oliver’s Even More Shit Brother
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