Liverpool frustrated in Moscow

Roberto Firmino reacts to a missed chance for
Liverpool
Liverpool were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw despite
dominating at Spartak Moscow in their Champions
League Group E clash on Tuesday.
Fernando's fine free-kick gave Spartak Moscow the
lead in an action-packed opening (23), but Philippe
Coutinho levelled with his first-ever Champions
League goal following a lovely move (31).
Liverpool dominated the second half but were kept
out on several occasions, the biggest chances falling
to substitute Daniel Sturridge, who blazed over on the
volley from close range, and Mohamed Salah, who
saw a close-range header saved by substitute
goalkeeper Aleksandr Selikhov.
After Sevilla's win against Maribor, the result means
Liverpool are in second in Group E, two points behind
the Spanish leaders and level on points with Spartak.
Philippe Coutinho celebrates Liverpool's equaliser
Player ratings
Spartak Moscow: Rebrov (8), Eschenko (6),
Kutepov (6), Tasci (6), Bocchetti (6), Dzhikiia
(6), Samedov (6), Fernando (7), Pasalic (6),
Popov (6), Adriano (6)
Subs: Selikhov (7), Melgarejo (NA), Pedro Rocha
(NA)
Liverpool: Karius (6), Alexander-Arnold (7),
Lovren (6), Matip (6), Moreno (6), Henderson
(6), Can (5), Coutinho (7), Salah (6), Mane (6),
Firmino (6)
Subs: Wijnaldum (6), Sturridge (6)
Man of the match: Artyom Rebrov
In an open and entertaining first half, Artyom Rebrov
made good saves to deny Salah's angled effort and
then Roberto Firmino's free header, before the hosts
took the lead.
After Salah had fouled on the edge of the box,
Fernando stepped up and found the right of the goal
from the resulting free-kick midway through the first
half, though there will be question marks over Loris
Karius' dive with the ball not ending up in the corner
of the net.
But Liverpool were level eight minutes later through
Coutinho, who received the ball back from a superb
one-two with Sadio Mane outside the box, finding the
roof of the net from 12 yards.
Team news
Liverpool made three changes from the side
that beat Leicester 3-2 on Saturday. Loris Karius,
Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane replaced
Simon Mignolet, Joe Gomes and Gini Wijnaldum.
Roberto Firmino and Serdar Tasci vie for the ball
Liverpool should have gone into the break ahead
following two chances; Firmino failed to shuffle his
feet in time to turn Jordan Henderson's fine ball
goalwards, and on the stroke of half-time a four-
versus-two attack ended in Mane being caught
offside.
Jurgen Klopp's side also dominated the second
period, going close through Coutinho's free-kick,
before Firmino struck over the bar in space having
won the ball back on the edge of the box.
Liverpool will feel they should have won it in the
dying stages after Sturridge struck over the bar in
space from six yards on the volley, and with just two
minutes of the additional eight added on remaining,
Salah struck a point-blank header straight at Selikhov
from Alexander-Arnold's cross.
Pundit - Phil Thompson
I would have to say the final ball at times let them
down. Too much weight on it, not crossing it early
enough, or putting the ball behind players when they
had chances.
This is a massive two points dropped. I think these
were the top pick in Pot 1, and you think my
goodness, Liverpool have just absolutely steamrolled
them from start to finish. They will be kicking
themselves in that dressing room.
Jurgen Klopp's side dominated in Moscow
They've had two attempts, one from the free-kick
which they scored, and one from another shot which
Karius blocked. But for the goal, the goalkeeper
should do much better.
The manager - Jurgen Klopp
"We are not the most lucky team in world football
but we did very well in creating chances against a
defensively-oriented team. The only thing is to go
through the group and that is still possible for us.
"We would have won both games [after draw against
Sevilla] but didn't and that is our fault."
Opta stats
What's next
Liverpool go to Newcastle on Super Sunday, live on
Sky Sports Premier League at 4.30pm, while their
next Champions league game is on October 17 at
Maribor. CSKA host Sevilla next in the Champions
League on the same night.

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