Liverpool’s Champions League momentum suffered a significant setback in Istanbul as Fenerbahçe came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory, punishing a series of defensive mistakes from Andoni Iraola’s side.

Trey Nyoni had given Liverpool the lead with a superb first-time volley, before Mason Greenwood brought the hosts level. Alexander Isak restored the visitors’ advantage with an excellent finish shortly after coming off the bench, but Liverpool were unable to hold on.

Archie Brown equalised for Fenerbahçe just three minutes later, and Vedat Muriqi completed the turnaround in the 79th minute, capitalising on another defensive failure to leave Liverpool with nothing to show for their efforts.

It was a particularly frustrating outcome given the promise of Liverpool’s opening half-hour. They started brightly, created early opportunities and deservedly moved in front, but their defensive carelessness allowed Fenerbahçe back into a contest that had initially looked to be moving in their favour.

Liverpool began at considerable pace and almost took the lead inside the opening three minutes.

A cross into the area was met by Bradley Barcola, whose misjudged attempt fell kindly for Victor Muñoz. The winger forced a good save from Ederson at his near post, before Jérémy Jacquet headed the resulting corner wide.

There was an early warning at the other end when Kostas Tsimikas gave possession away cheaply in the 15th minute. Virgil van Dijk had done well to hold off Romelu Lukaku and play the ball into the Greek defender, but his sloppy pass invited N’Golo Kanté to react. Alisson Becker was required to smother the danger.

Liverpool eventually found the breakthrough through one of their youngest players.

Rio Ngumoha did well to create the initial opening in the 25th minute, with Fenerbahçe struggling to clear their lines after Liverpool recycled possession. Dominik Szoboszlai’s delivery towards the back post was intended for Van Dijk, but the ball was only partially cleared into the path of Nyoni.

The teenager made no mistake, meeting it first time with a superb volley from the edge of the penalty area. There may have been a slight deflection, but that did little to diminish the quality of the strike or the significance of the moment.

It was a wonderful goal for a player whose involvement has increased considerably under Iraola, and Liverpool had a deserved lead.

However, they almost surrendered it immediately. Archie Brown delivered into the area and İrfan Can Kahveci arrived to meet the cross with a sliding effort, crashing his attempt against the top of the crossbar.

The warning went unheeded. Four minutes after Nyoni’s opener, Szoboszlai conceded a free-kick to Kanté. Greenwood took responsibility, with his effort taking a deflection off Jacquet and wrong-footing Alisson before finding the net.

Liverpool had been sloppy in possession and were punished for it. Their promising start had been undone, and Fenerbahçe suddenly had the confidence of the home crowd behind them.

The hosts threatened again before the interval. Greenwood narrowly missed the near post after being played in by Matteo Guendouzi, before Alisson produced an important save when the forward was sent through behind Joe Gomez.

Liverpool had enjoyed the better opening spell, but the first half ended with the contest finely balanced and their defensive vulnerabilities becoming increasingly apparent.

The visitors began the second half with renewed attacking intent and twice came close to restoring their advantage.

Ederson was called into action on two occasions in quick succession, first denying Barcola at his near post before making another important save from Van Dijk’s header following the resulting corner.

Fenerbahçe continued to threaten, though. Muñoz failed to clear a dangerous delivery in the 59th minute, allowing Brown to get a shot away which Alisson saved.

Three minutes later, Muñoz saw an effort blocked on its way towards goal by Milan Škriniar. Ngumoha had been particularly impressive in the build-up, providing another reminder of the attacking threat he can offer.

Liverpool’s response eventually came through Isak, whose introduction made an immediate impact.

In the 69th minute, Gakpo combined with Tsimikas before delivering an inviting ball towards the back post. Isak arrived to meet it and finished clinically, finding the net with his first touch of the game.

It was precisely the contribution Liverpool needed from the bench. Having worked hard to regain the lead, they appeared to have put themselves in a strong position to see out the closing stages.

Instead, the advantage lasted barely three minutes.

Kanté delivered into the area, with Gakpo getting a touch as he attempted to deal with the cross. With the goalkeeper stranded well away from his line, Brown continued his run and finished into the unguarded goal.

Liverpool had conceded almost immediately after scoring for the second time, repeating the same frustrating pattern that had followed Nyoni’s opener.

Worse was to come.

In the 79th minute, a ball was allowed to hang in the air for far too long inside Liverpool’s penalty area. Their defenders misjudged its flight, and Muriqi took advantage, nodding home to complete Fenerbahçe’s turnaround.

It was a desperately poor goal for Liverpool to concede. After twice taking the lead, they had now allowed the hosts to move in front through another moment of defensive uncertainty.

There was little in the way of a convincing response. Van Dijk saw a header comfortably claimed by Ederson in the 82nd minute, while Gakpo sent a long-range effort over the crossbar three minutes later.

Liverpool struggled to build any sustained pressure as the closing stages approached. Fenerbahçe had weathered their late attacking efforts, and the visitors looked short of ideas as they searched for an equaliser.

Gakpo did well to create one final opportunity in stoppage time, knocking the ball into the area for Van Dijk, but the defender sent his effort over.

The final whistle confirmed a damaging defeat for Liverpool, who had twice been ahead but ultimately left Istanbul empty-handed.

Nyoni’s excellent goal and Isak’s immediate impact offered positives, while Ngumoha again demonstrated his ability to trouble opponents. But those contributions were overshadowed by a defensive performance that repeatedly gave Fenerbahçe a route back into the game.

Iraola had warned his players about the importance of starting strongly and preventing the hosts from building confidence. Liverpool did the former, but failed to sustain it.

Three goals conceded, two leads surrendered and a Champions League away day that unravelled in the closing stages. Liverpool will have plenty to address after Istanbul.