Liverpool’s Champions League return did not go entirely to plan as they repeatedly shot themselves in the foot in the 2-2 draw at home to Sevilla.
Goals from Roberto Firmino, who also missed a penalty, and Mohamed Salah appeared to have put them in control after a Dejan Lovren mistake had allowed Wissam Ben Yedder to score after just five minutes.
But with 18 minutes to go the defence switched off and Joaquin Correa nipped in to equalise with only their second shot on target.
To compound Liverpool’s frustration Joe Gomez was sent off in added time for a second bookable offence.
Honours even at Anfield in #LFC's first Champions League group-stage outing of the season. pic.twitter.com/KAOrbi3bnj
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 13, 2017
What they said
Not the result we deserved, but we keep on going! Atmosphere at Anfield was massive ????????#LIVSEV #UCL #YNWA #LK1 pic.twitter.com/ZvS0ub8qFd
— Loris Karius (@LorisKarius) September 13, 2017
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: “It is disappointment, frustration, but that is completely normal. We are responsible for the very good parts in the game and also the not-so-good parts so you have to feel disappointed after a game like this. It is not a general defending problem but we have to improve 100 per cent.”
Sevilla boss Eduardo Berizzo admitted his sending-off was all his own fault: “When we were winning and Liverpool were on the counter I did something that wasn’t right, I threw the ball to stop the advantage of a counter-attack. I realised that was a mistake.”
Tweet of the match
Defenders. Please.#LFC
— Stan Collymore (@StanCollymore) September 13, 2017
Star man – Sadio Mane
Sadio Mane on the move ????♂️???? pic.twitter.com/1FO88eAFj2
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 13, 2017
The Senegal international’s pace gave Sevilla problems all night and the speed and directness with which he attacked had the visiting defence back-pedalling. He won a penalty and created a number of other chances.
Moment of the match
FIRMINO!!!!! pic.twitter.com/ju92EVqOW0
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 13, 2017
The move for Liverpool’s opening goal was a piece of precision passing at speed which saw Alberto Moreno exchange passes with Jordan Henderson, catching an exquisite through-ball to cross for Roberto Firmino to score.
Data point
This place is bound to be rocking tonight… #UCL pic.twitter.com/bGNuPfRvlS
— #UCL (@ChampionsLeague) September 13, 2017
Liverpool made their return to the Champions League after a 1,009-day absence, with their last appearance being a 1-1 draw at home to Basle which saw them exit before the knockout stage.
Player ratings
Wissam Ben Yedder ⚽️
Joaquín Correa ⚽️
Sevilla end Liverpool's six-game European winning streak at Anfield. Best performance? ???? #UCL pic.twitter.com/r6LUS4O4ZE— #UCL (@ChampionsLeague) September 13, 2017
Liverpool: Loris Karius 7, Joe Gomez 7, Dejan Lovren 5, Alberto Moreno 8, Jordan Henderson 7, Georginio Wijnaldum 7, Emre Can 7, Mohamed Salah 8, Roberto Firmino 7, Sadio Mane 8. Subs: Philippe Coutinho (on for Can, 76) 6, Daniel Sturridge (on for Mane, 83) 6, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (on for Salah, 89) 5.
Sevilla: Sergio Rico 6, Gabriel Mercado 5, Nicolas Pareja 4, Simon Kjaer 5, Sergio Escudero 6, Steven N’Zonzi 4, Ever Banega 5, Guido Pizarro 6, Jesus Navas 4, Wissam Ben Yedder 6, Joaquin Correa 7. Subs: Pablo Sarabia (on for Pizarro, 45) 6, Luis Muriel (on for Ben Yedder, 69) 7, Sebastian Corchia (on for Navas, 83) 5.
Who’s up next?
Liverpool v Burnley (Premier League, Saturday September 16)
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