Dirk Kuyt has called on his Fenerbahce side to make the most of a "huge opportunity" when they face Liverpool in a "very special situation".
Fener host Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday, with interim boss Kuyt going up against his former side.
Kuyt won the EFL Cup with Liverpool in 2011-12, while also finishing runners-up in the 2006-07 Champions League with the Reds.
The Dutchman scored nine goals and provided five assists in 37 Champions League games for Liverpool.
Kuyt was named Fener's interim boss after the resignation of Ismail Kartal, but made a losing start on the weekend, falling to a 2-1 defeat against Goztepe.
Fener are yet to win (D2 L1) in the Champions League this season, and Kuyt has urged his side to impose themselves against Liverpool.
"I was very excited after the draw. It was very clear that it would be a very special situation," said Kuyt.
Preparing for the Liverpool match. #UCL https://t.co/9EFx8DdzQo
— Fenerbahçe English (@Fenerbahce_EN) November 1, 2026
"This will be very important for me, but right now the club is what matters.
"This is a great opportunity for us to show ourselves. It's also a great opportunity for me, playing against two teams that are very important to me.
"No one who loves Fenerbahce is happy with the current situation, but this is a huge opportunity. We have players who have won the Champions League and the World Cup."
Fener and Liverpool will meet for the first time in this match – the Reds have only won four of their 11 games against Turkish sides in the European Cup/Champions League (D2 L5), although the most recent one was a 4-0 victory over Galatasaray in March this year.
Following their draw against Slavia Prague last time out (2-2), Fener are now on their longest-ever winless run in the European Cup/Champions League (10 games – D4 L6).