Dirk Kuyt signs off as Fenerbahçe interim coach with Liverpool upset

Dirk Kuyt ended his spell as Fenerbahçe’s interim coach with a dramatic 3-2 Champions League victory over former club Liverpool in Istanbul. Vedat Muriqi headed the winner with ten minutes remaining after the Turkish side had twice fallen behind.

Kuyt’s place on the touchline had remained uncertain after Fenerbahçe appointed Emre Belözoğlu as their new head coach. However, the 46-year-old was told on matchday that he would lead the team for one final fixture. Kuyt, who played for Liverpool from 2006 until 2012, was booked after protesting to the officials during the first half.

Trey Nyoni put Liverpool ahead with a deflected effort, but Mason Greenwood levelled through a free-kick that also took a decisive touch off the wall. Substitute Cody Gakpo then set up Alexander Isak to restore the visitors’ lead two minutes after entering the match. Fenerbahçe responded again when goalkeeper Alisson Becker misjudged a high ball, allowing Archie Brown to score into an empty net before Muriqi completed the comeback.

Virgil van Dijk started as Liverpool captain, while Ryan Gravenberch missed the game through injury. The win was Fenerbahçe’s first in four Champions League matches this season and kept them in contention for the next round. Liverpool had won each of their opening three games. It remains unclear whether Kuyt, who initially joined Ismail Kartal’s staff as an assistant, will stay under Belözoğlu.