Clément Turpin to Referee Fenerbahçe vs Liverpool in Champions League
UEFA has appointed French referee Clément Turpin to take charge of Fenerbahçe’s Champions League Matchday 4 meeting with Liverpool. The fixture is scheduled for Wednesday evening at Istanbul’s Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium, where the Turkish side face a crucial test against the six-time European champions.
Turpin, a 44-year-old FIFA-listed official, will lead an all-French refereeing team. Nicolas Danos and Benjamin Pages are assigned as assistant referees, while Jérémie Stinat will serve as the fourth official. Willy Delajod will manage the Video Assistant Referee system, with Éric Wattellier assisting him as AVAR.
The appointment comes at a pivotal moment for Fenerbahçe. Interim manager Dirk Kuyt is overseeing preparations after İsmail Kartal’s departure, and the club have little room for error in the league phase. Fenerbahçe are 31st in the standings, with two points from their first three matches. A win over Liverpool would provide a significant boost to their hopes of reaching the knockout rounds.
The hosts must also contend with several defensive absences. Ghanaian centre-back Kojo Oppong was ruled out on Monday after sustaining a muscle injury during Fenerbahçe’s 2-1 defeat to Göztepe at the weekend. He joins Nathan Aké, Jayden Oosterwolde and Marco Asensio on the injury list.
There was more encouraging news in attack: Mason Greenwood returned to full team training on Monday after recovering from a serious viral infection. He is expected to be available for selection, although his involvement will depend on the coaching staff’s assessment ahead of kick-off.
Liverpool arrive in Istanbul with a perfect Champions League record so far, having won all three of their opening matches under Andoni Iraola. Their European momentum contrasts with a setback in domestic competition: Liverpool lost 1-0 to Arsenal at Anfield over the weekend and will be looking to respond.
Turpin’s experience will be central to managing a contest expected to unfold in a charged atmosphere. More than 45,000 supporters are anticipated at Kadıköy, where the noise and intensity can make communication and decision-making demanding for players and officials alike. The referee’s team will need to keep control of the match while allowing the game to flow.
The French official’s responsibilities will extend beyond fouls and disciplinary decisions. His assistants will help judge offside calls and incidents near the touchlines, while the VAR team will review eligible decisions under the competition’s protocols. The system is not intended to replace the on-field referee, but to help correct clear and obvious errors in key situations.
For Fenerbahçe, discipline may be especially important against a Liverpool side that have started the European campaign strongly. Avoiding unnecessary bookings and maintaining defensive organisation could help the hosts stay competitive, particularly with several defenders unavailable. At the other end, Greenwood’s return offers Kuyt another potential option as he looks for a way to trouble the visitors.
Liverpool, meanwhile, will aim to maintain their winning run in Europe and put the Arsenal defeat behind them. A difficult away setting and a determined opponent make the Istanbul match a substantial challenge, despite the contrasting positions of the teams in the league-phase table.
Kick-off at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium is set for Wednesday, November 4, at 20:45 TRT (17:45 GMT). With Fenerbahçe chasing points and Liverpool seeking a fourth consecutive Champions League victory, Turpin and his officiating crew will oversee a fixture carrying major consequences for both sides.