Oppong Ruled Out of Fenerbahçe Liverpool Clash
The Ghanaian defender suffered a serious muscular injury during Fenerbahçe's 2-1 league loss to Göztepe.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Soccer
Fenerbahçe lost 2-1 to Göztepe in the Süper Lig after surrendering a 1-0 lead, their second straight league defeat. Center-back Kojo Oppong was injured in the 84th minute and has been ruled out of Wednesday's Champions League match against Liverpool.
Why it matters
The injury removes a key option from a defensive unit already stretched by the absence of Nathan Aké, forcing interim manager Dirk Kuyt to improvise ahead of a high-stakes European fixture. Fenerbahçe supporters also protested against club leadership after the defeat, adding pressure on the squad.
Fenerbahçe fell 2-1 to Göztepe after leading 1-0, and the 84th-minute injury to 22-year-old Oppong came while the club was already searching for a result. Initial medical assessments describe a serious muscular injury, but a precise recovery timeline has not been released.
The players
Kojo Oppong
A 22-year-old Ghanaian center-back who made his first start for Fenerbahçe and was injured in the Göztepe match.
Dirk Kuyt
The interim Fenerbahçe manager who must rebuild a defensive pairing for the Liverpool fixture.
The details
Oppong, a 22-year-old Ghanaian center-back, made his first start for Fenerbahçe in place of the injured Nathan Aké. He pulled up clutching his muscle at Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium and was replaced by 21-year-old Yiğit Efe Demir, with interim manager Dirk Kuyt saying Oppong signaled he could not continue due to sharp discomfort.
Timeline
Saturday, November 1, 2026: Fenerbahçe lose 2-1 to Göztepe and Oppong is injured in the 84th minute.
Wednesday, November 4, 2026: Fenerbahçe host Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League at Kadıköy, kick-off 20:45 TRT.
Season Trajectory
Fenerbahçe's second consecutive Süper Lig defeat, following a lead surrendered against Göztepe, leaves the club under growing pressure in the domestic table. Losing Oppong as a defensive option ahead of the Liverpool Champions League match could further strain a season that is already facing scrutiny from supporters.
With Oppong out, Milan Škriniar and Yiğit Efe Demir are expected to form the central pairing against Liverpool, shifting the defensive rotation for fans tracking the match. Supporters following the team's fixture schedule will need to watch Wednesday's lineup closely.
The takeaway
Injuries to defensive starters can quickly reshape a club's plans, and fans should watch official team lineups before major fixtures. Tracking squad availability matters most in tight stretches of the season.
What happens next
Fenerbahçe host Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League at Kadıköy on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, at 20:45 TRT, when Milan Škriniar and Yiğit Efe Demir are expected to form the central defensive pairing.
Further reading
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