Aadam Patel
Football Reporter in Istanbul

The official UEFA teamsheet shows Bradley Barcola as the centre-forward and Andoni Iraola's words to TNT Sports suggests that he wants him to be fluid and stretch the Fenerbahce backline.

Liverpool have scored for fun in the Champions League this season but have struggled in the Premier League so there's certainly an experimental feel to the way Iraola has set up attacking wise.

He could have gone with either of Alexander Isak, Cody Gakpo or Lewis Koumas as the man up top so it'll be really interesting to see how a natural winger like Barcola fares.

Image source, Getty Images

Defeat by Arsenal on Sunday ended a run of five straight wins for Liverpool, including the penalty shootout triumph over Chelsea in the Carabao Cup.

That had returned a feel-good factor to Anfield with performances steadily improving and big-money signings starting to show their worth.

Despite the result, there were positives for the Reds against Arsenal, particularly in the way they responded to going behind, but they will be keen to get back to winning ways tonight.

Should they manage that, they would go a long way to securing a top-eight finish and automatic progression to the last-16.

Aadam Patel
Football Reporter in Istanbul

It has not stopped raining in Istanbul all day but that hasn't stopped the travelling Liverpool fans from enjoying themselves in this great city.

Just under 2,000 of them have made the journey to Istanbul, which of course has many happy memories for Liverpool.

But in recent times, the Turkish capital hasn't been a happy hunting ground for the Reds.

They lost twice to Galatasaray last season and haven’t won any of their six away games against Turkish teams in the history of the European Cup/Champions League.

A chance to look at something a bit different with Bradley Barcola up front perhaps, Noah?

In an ideal world, Andoni Iraola might be hoping his side are comfortably ahead so he can give Barcola a rest after an hour, give Lewis Koumas a run out for half an hour or so and not to have to use Alexander Isak at all.

How realistic that scenario actually is is another matter.

Image source, PA Media

Liverpool

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola, speaking to TNT Sports: "I think we've been [rotating] basically all the season. You play every three, four days you have to refresh the legs. The defensive positions we don't have as many options.

"We have injuries but offensively I think we can rotate a little bit and today we can see other players."

On Bradley Barcola playing as a striker: "I think Bradley, even Victor [Munoz] are players that are wingers but have played sometimes up front. I think we should be mobile.

"I think we should attack the spaces that are there. They are there to have good combinations outside. We don't expect them to stay there as the nine. I think Bradley can do this job very well."

A little under half an hour until kick-off and the atmosphere is building nicely.

It's the kind of 'friendly' reaction you'd expect for Liverpool with the players booed by the Fenerbahce supporters as they applaud the travelling fans in the corner of the stadium during their warm-up.

Image source, Getty Images

There are two Spanish sides in action this evening and both will be hoping to keep their 100% Champions League record intact.

Real Madrid thrashed RB Leipzig 4-1 last time out for their third straight win in Europe this season and Jose Mourinho's side will be looking to extend their winning streak in all competitions to seven games when they travel to AEK Athens tonight.

Real Betis, meanwhile, have also won all three of their Champions League fixtures with victories over Lille, Porto and Feyenoord.

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola expects it to be a "very special" night in Istanbul but, understands that "it won't be easy" for the away side because it never is for English teams that play there.

"They have very good players in midfield and they have a very good technical level," Iraola said, when discussing what he expects from Turkish giants Fenerbahce.

"If we allow them a lot of time on the ball and don't press them properly then we will suffer."

He also wants his side to "continue" their unbeaten run in the Champions League.

He added: "We want to continue how we have done in the Champions League - three games and nine points. It is a good chance to get to 12 points and then finish in the top eight."

Only slight issue with that, Ernest, is that the game is in Istanbul rather than at Anfield. Still, no reason why Liverpool can't respond with an away win.

Aadam Patel
Football Reporter in Istanbul

Image source, Getty Images

Andoni Iraola has called on Trey Nyoni to continue in the same manner after the 19-year-old made his first Premier League start for Liverpool on Sunday.

With Ryan Gravenberch out of Liverpool's trip to Fenerbahce with a heel injury and a doubt for this Sunday's game against Crystal Palace, Nyoni is set to get more of an opportunity to cement his place as a regular in Liverpool's midfield.

"I think he has to continue in the same place he has been since pre-season. He's playing most of the games," said Iraola.

"We trust him, he's doing very well. We have to encourage him to continue improving, learning and getting the experience. He's in very good place."

Nyoni has already played 513 minutes this season, more than double the 237 minutes he managed last campaign under Arne Slot, stepping up after Liverpool sold Curtis Jones to Inter Milan.

Asked if Liverpool were ready to rely on Nyoni week in, week out, Iraola stressed that the teenager is getting used to the rhythm of playing two games a week.

He added: "I think the young players are already playing. Sometimes it's not just playing 90 minutes and 90 minutes.

"Maybe one day you have to help us play 20 minutes, or another day you have to start and play 65, and then maybe you don't play, maybe you play the full game.

"He's adding also endurance, because sometimes when you are young, you feel 'OK, I'm not going to get tired'.

"But you need to add this to your body and give a big effort every three to four days."

As omens go, this is quite a good one for Liverpool...

Liverpool have a 100% record in the Champions League this season (3/3), scoring 12 goals in the process.

This is the most they have netted after three games of a European Cup/ Champions League campaign since 1980-81 (also 12), a season in which they went on to lift the trophy.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Jude Bellingham will make history when he steps onto the pitch this evening to make his 60th Champions League appearance.

At 23 years and 128 days old, he is the youngest player to reach the milestone - ahead of Iker Casillas, who was 23 years and 167 days old.

Aadam Patel
Football Reporter in Istanbul

Image source, Getty Images

Dirk Kuyt insists that it will be a "special occasion" but he will have to park his emotions for Liverpool's Champions League game against Fenerbahce in Istanbul.

Kuyt - who played for Liverpool between 2006 and 2012 and scored the winning penalty for the Reds in the 2007 Champions League semi-final - is now the interim Fenerbahce boss after Ismail Kartal resigned last week.

The former Dutch international played for Fenerbahce between 2012 and 2015 and won the Turkish Super Lig. He was Kartal's assistant before stepping up to the role.

Asked about his feelings pre-match, Kuyt said: "It's a really special achievement for Fenerbahce to be in the Champions League after 18 years and we're really excited. When you reach that stage, you know you'll be playing against very impressive teams.

"As soon as the draw was done, I was really excited because everyone knows how much Fenerbahce and Liverpool mean to me and from that moment, you know it will be a special occasion.

"Of course, tomorrow will be a very special occasion for me but at the stage we're in, I'm not here for myself. I'm here for the club and that's what is important - to show the fans who deserve much more, a reaction, positive energy and a good performance."

Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool are hoping to continue their perfect start to this year's Champions League but they will need to do something have never done before to maintain that 100% record tonight.

That's because the Reds haven’t won any of their six away games against Turkish teams in the European Cup/UEFA Champions League, losing five of them (D1), and the last four in a row.

They have never lost five consecutive away games against sides from one nation in the European Cup/Champions League.

Of course, Liverpool have enjoyed one very famous victory in Istanbul so it's not all bad memories for them in Turkey...

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Liverpool and Fenerbahce meet for the first time with Andoni Iraola's side having won three from three in the Champions League so far this season.

A 100% record doesn't quite tell the whole tale after going 2-0 down in their most recent outing at home to Villarreal before prevailing 4-3.

On Wednesday, they come up against an opposing head coach who reached the final of this competition with the Reds in 2007.

Dirk Kuyt may be taking charge of his final match as interim boss of the Turkish club, with reports indicating that Sergio Conceicao is set to take over on an 18-month deal.