Mario Lemina's close-range header after seven minutes of the contest in Istanbul was enough to give the home side victory.
It leaves the Reds with the task of overturning that deficit in the return fixture at Anfield next Wednesday.
**Team**
With Alisson Becker out injured, Giorgi Mamardashvili was the replacement in goal, while Florian Wirtz returned to the line-up for the first time since recovering from his back issue.
**Liverpool:** Mamardashvili, Gomez, Van Dijk, Konate, Kerkez (Robertson, 60), Wirtz (Gakpo, 73), Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah (Frimpong, 60), Ekitike, Gravenberch.
**Unused subs:** Woodman, Misciur, Jones, Nyoni, Nallo, Morrison, Ngumoha.