Fenerbahce v Liverpool: Team news

The Reds face the Turkish side away from home on Wednesday evening, aiming to make it four wins in a row in the Champions League’s league phase.

A 22-man travelling squad departed John Lennon Airport for Istanbul on Tuesday morning.

Ryan Gravenberch was not included due to a heel injury for which he is receiving treatment at the AXA Training Centre.

Head coach Iraola explained: “It’s a fracture of the heel. It’s about the pain. He has been with some discomfort. The other day against Arsenal he was warming up and he was not fully confident.

“He hasn’t improved since then. But it’s going to be something that every day we ask him, every day we see how he is.”

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Gakpo and Iraola's pre-Fenerbahce press conference

The boss was asked at his pre-match press conference if Trey Nyoni therefore could continue to feature in midfield in the enforced absence of Gravenberch.

“He is playing most of the games – or even all the games lately – so we trust him,” came the reply.

“He is doing very well and I think we have to encourage him to continue – to continue improving, continue learning, continue adding experience. He is in a very good place.”

Federico Chiesa and Wataru Endo are unavailable having not been named in the Reds’ submitted ‘A’ squad for the league phase.

A muscle issue is currently sidelining Jeremie Frimpong, while Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni continue to recover from long-term injuries.

On the challenge he expects from the hosts, Iraola added: “Fenerbahce is a team that has very good players. In the midfield they have a very good technical level.

“If we allow them a lot of time on the ball or we don’t press them properly, we are going to suffer. I think we have to be good in our press, I think we have to try to control the game, don’t allow them to win confidence, because also they are experienced players, they know how to play these kind of games in this competition.

“The stronger we start, the less chances we should give to Fenerbahce, because otherwise they are going to be dangerous.”

Fenerbahce are under the guidance of interim head coach Dirk Kuyt at present.

The former Liverpool forward – who returned to the Turkish side as an assistant in the summer, having previously had a three-year spell with them as a player – was appointed to the role last week.

He will be without the experience of defender Nathan Ake and midfielder Marco Asensio against the Reds, with the pair injured.

Jayden Oosterwolde has been out of action since August and there is a doubt over the availability of Kojo Peprah Oppong.

Fenerbahce are seeking their first win of the league phase and come into this game on the back of consecutive 2-1 defeats in Turkiye’s top flight.

Kuyt said at his pre-match press conference: “Romelu [Lukaku] was speaking about how important it is to show the fans – who deserve much more – a reaction of positive energy and a good performance.

“We have really good players but we need to show up. When we show up tomorrow with good energy, with passion and there to play, I think it can be a very special night.”

Last match

Fenerbahce 1-2 Goztepe (October 31): Ederson, Semedo, Skriniar, Oppong, Mercan, Kante, Guendouzi, Aydin, Kahveci, Akturkoglu, Lukaku.

Liverpool 0-1 Arsenal (November 1): Alisson, Araujo, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Nyoni, Mac Allister, Wirtz, Gakpo, Barcola, Isak.