05.11.2026 12:03
Fenerbahçe's 3-2 defeat of Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League resonated widely in the British press. While British newspapers recalled the defeats Liverpool suffered in Istanbul, The Times's remarks that "visits against Turkish clubs in this city have almost turned into the torment of having a tooth pulled" drew attention.
Fenerbahçe's 3-2 victory over Liverpool in a UEFA Champions League match in which they twice came from behind received extensive coverage in the British press.
THE TIMES: IT TURNED INTO A TOOTH-PULLING ORDEAL
Running the story under the headline "Iraola criticizes sloppy goals as familiar faces punish Liverpool," The Times said, "Istanbul will always be a special place for Liverpool fans, but recently visits to this city against Turkish clubs have become almost a tooth-pulling ordeal."
The newspaper commented, "Fenerbahçe, managed by former Anfield favorite Dirk Kuyt, came from behind twice in their passionate stadium to claim a famous victory. As a result, Liverpool have remained without a win in their six visits to Super Lig sides in Istanbul. In Turkey, meanwhile, they have not won since 16 years ago, when Kuyt was a Liverpool player."
THE GUARDIAN: IT TESTED EARDRUMS
The Guardian, using the phrase "Liverpool blew up their 100 percent record in the Champions League with various defensive errors," commented, "Turkish fans tested eardrums with relentless whistling every time Liverpool had the ball. Liverpool, too, tried to soften the atmosphere by keeping possession."
The newspaper shared with readers the statement by Spanish coach Andoni Iraola: "It was almost impossible to communicate in the stadium. It was difficult for me to give instructions, and communication between Cody and Alisson must also have been difficult."
DAILY MIRROR: ISTANBUL FIASCO
The Daily Mirror, which reported Liverpool's defeat under the headline "Istanbul fiasco" and commented "The Kop collapsed in the city of its famous comeback," said, "The Reds, who lost twice to Galatasaray last season and have not won in Turkey since 2010, suffered their first defeat of their Champions League campaign as Fenerbahçe came from behind twice in Istanbul." The newspaper wrote that Liverpool's loss of composure and control in a match they had in hand harmed them.
DAILY TELEGRAPH: LIVERPOOL'S FRAGILITY WAS EXPOSED
The Daily Telegraph, in its story headlined "Greenwood's finishing exposed Liverpool's fragility," commented, "Liverpool have won two European cups in Istanbul, but they do not much enjoy visits to Turkey. The last Anfield manager to experience a win here was Roy Hodgson in August 2010. It was also an irony that Dirk Kuyt, the hero of that night in Trabzon, was the architect of this collapse."
BBC SPORT: ANOTHER MIRACLE IN ISTANBUL
In BBC Sport's story headlined "Another miracle in Istanbul, but this time it hurt Liverpool," it was said, "However, Iraola's players surrendered in a fiery atmosphere. The eager hosts, managed by interim head coach Dirk Kuyt, a Liverpool hero of years past, secured a shock comeback victory in the Champions League."
THE ATHLETIC: A RULE IS A RULE
In The Athletic's story, meanwhile, the following statements were used: "It is one of football's unwritten rules that players always come back to haunt their former club. Kuyt spent six very happy years at Anfield and there is nothing but love between him and Liverpool fans, but a rule is a rule."