Fenerbahce interim head coach Dirk Kuyt, who made 285 appearances during a six-year spell at Liverpool, has been speaking ahead of the Champions League clash between the sides

Interim Fenerbahce head coach Dirk Kuyt, the former Liverpool forward, has promised that the Turkish side will show Europe just how big it is when it takes on the Reds on Wednesday.

Kuyt has overseen just one game so far — a 2-1 defeat to Goztepe over the weekend — after previous boss Ismail Kartal departed amid a dismal run. Fenerbahce hosts Liverpool with just one win in five, a spell that includes a 6-0 hammering at the hands of Aston Villa.

"We have really good players, but we need to show up, and when we show up tomorrow with good energy and passion, I think it will be a special night," Kuyt said in his pre-match press conference.

"Liverpool is an amazing team, but so is Fenerbahce. If we and the fans can show up tomorrow, then Europe will really see how big Fenerbahce is."

Liverpool and Fenerbahce have, rather staggeringly, never played against each other before. The Turkish outfit will become the 140th different opponent that the Reds have faced.

And while Kuyt is focused on getting a much-needed victory, the Dutchman also admitted that it will be a huge occasion for him to be involved in a match against his former club.

"It's a really special achievement for Fenerbahce to be in the Champions League after 18 years and we're really excited," Kuyt explained.

"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."

Get Liverpool's new 2026/27 home kit

Liverpool FC have launched their new home kit for the 2026/27, inspired by iconic adidas strip worn during the club's 1989/90 title-winning campaign.

There are several familiar faces among the Fenerbahce roster, including former Leicester and Chelsea midfielder N'Golo Kante.

Ex-Manchester City goalkeeper Ederson is set to start, while there is also Milan Skriniar, formerly of Inter Milan and PSG, Matteo Guendouzi, once of Arsenal, and Romelu Lukaku, the old Everton and Manchester United forward.

So far this season, Fenerbahce has lost to Aston Villa and drawn with AS Roma and Slavia Prague. After facing Liverpool, it still has Shakhtar Donetsk, LASK, Villarreal and Atletico Madrid to play during the expanded league phase.