Anfield Corner | Liverpool News

A familiar face will be waiting on the opposite touchline when Liverpool head to Istanbul next week. Dirk Kuyt has taken interim charge of Fenerbahçe following Ismail Kartal’s resignation, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the Reds’ Champions League trip.

The Dutchman will lead the Turkish club while they search for a permanent head coach. For Liverpool supporters, that means a reunion with a player remembered as much for his tireless commitment as for his goals.

Once a Red, now in the opposite dugout

Kuyt made 285 appearances and scored 71 goals during his Liverpool career between 2006 and 2012. Those numbers tell part of the story, but his willingness to keep running, battle for possession and put the team first helped make him an Anfield favourite.

That is what makes this meeting so compelling from a Reds’ perspective: a player we once cheered will now be trying to stop Liverpool on a European night.

Fenerbahçe is familiar territory for Kuyt, too. During his playing spell from 2012 to 2015, he made 130 appearances and scored 37 goals across all competitions, with 28 assists also reported. His time in Istanbul brought silverware as well as a lasting connection with the club.

Kuyt’s honours as a Fenerbahçe player

• Turkish Cup: 2012–13
• Süper Lig: 2013–14
• Turkish Super Cup: 2014

He returned to the Turkish club as Kartal’s assistant during the summer. Now, following the manager’s departure, he has been asked to step up and guide the first team through the transition.

A reunion with points at stake

Liverpool visit Fenerbahçe on Wednesday 4 November for their fourth match of the Champions League league phase. The occasion now carries a personal storyline, but the Reds cannot afford to let sentiment become the focus.

A change in the dugout gives Liverpool another factor to consider. It does not automatically mean a different formation or a sudden improvement from the hosts; Kuyt’s approach will become clearer when his team plays.

Anfield Corner’s take

There is room to wish Kuyt well in his coaching career without wanting him to enjoy this particular European night. Once kick-off arrives, Liverpool’s priority has to be the result.

His appointment makes an already important fixture more interesting. It does not change the task: go to Istanbul, stay composed and aim to bring the points home.

For supporters who watched Kuyt give everything in a red shirt, seeing him in the opposition dugout will be a striking reminder of how football brings old connections back into view.

A warm welcome for an Anfield favourite, but hopefully no favours on the pitch.

Match details

Fixture: Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool

Competition: UEFA Champions League

Date: Wednesday 4 November 2026

Venue: Fenerbahçe’s home ground in Istanbul, Türkiye