Archie Brown says Liverpool should expect a hostile night in Istanbul. Fenerbahce host the Reds in the Champions League on Wednesday at the 48,000-capacity Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. "There are no stadiums that can replicate the atmosphere," Brown told BBC Sport. He said the crowd is so loud that talking to team-mates can be difficult. "There are no boring nights in Kadikoy," he added.
Liverpool have good memories of the city. They won the 2005 Champions League final at the Ataturk Stadium. But according to the BBC, they have lost their past five games against Turkish sides in Istanbul. Fenerbahce, though, are struggling for form in the league. They sit sixth in the Turkish Super Lig, nine points behind leaders Galatasaray after 10 games.
Brown, 24, was born in Birmingham. He began his youth career at West Brom before moving to Derby. There he helped the club win its only youth top-flight title. He scored a hat-trick in a 5-2 final win over an Arsenal U18s side that included Bukayo Saka. In 2021, aged 19, he left for Lausanne Sport in Switzerland, frustrated by a lack of first-team chances.
Brown said he had seen many talented players stuck with the U21s, with no real first-team experience by 22 or 23. He did not want to end up the same way. He also wanted to learn a new language and experience a new culture. He joined Belgian side Gent in 2023, then moved to Fenerbahce in a £7 million deal in 2025.
The pressure of the derby has already caught up with him. Last Monday he was sent off for his role in a post-match brawl against Galatasaray. Galatasaray accused him of physically attacking their captain, Abdulkerim Bardakci. Brown received a three-match ban, while Bardakci was banned for two games. Brown said it was his first red card and "hopefully my last". He called it a lesson he has to take.
The left-back can also play in central defence and midfield. He scored Fenerbahce's first Champions League goal in 18 years in a draw against Roma this season. He has played for England at youth level and still dreams of a senior call-up. He names Ashley Cole as one of his inspirations.
Interim Fenerbahce boss Dirk Kuyt, a former Liverpool player, said the game was an exciting chance for his side to show Europe what they can do. Brown said he is looking forward to facing Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Bradley Barcola. "You play football to play nights like this," he said.