Pool forced to relive old nightmare after second-half collapse

LIVERPOOL squandered a three-goal half-time lead to throw away the chance of early Champions League qualification as Sevilla netted a 93rd-minute equaliser in Spain.

Famous for their three-goal second-half comeback to win this competition in Istanbul in 2005, the Merseysiders endured the reverse.

Roberto Firmino scored either side of a goal from Sadio Mane in an opening 45 minutes which could not have been better scripted for Jurgen Klopp.

However, a worrying wobble saw them concede twice to Wissam Ben Yedder — one a twice-taken penalty — in the 15 minutes after the interval and, with the memory of their Europa League final defeat to the same opposition 18 months ago in a similar manner still raw, Guido Pizarro drilled home.

Maribor’s added-time equaliser against Spartak Moscow opened the door not only for Liverpool to qualify with a match to spare but win the SEVILLA: Sergio Rico, Mercado, Geis, Lenglet, Escudero, Nzonzi (Vazquez, 46 mins), Banega, Pizarro, Sarabia, Ben Yedder (Correa, 81 mins), Nolito (Muriel, 72 mins). Unused subs: Soria, Corchia, Krohn-Dehli, Jesus Navas. LIVERPOOL: Karius, Gomez, Lovren, Klavan, Moreno (Milner, 63 mins),

group outright, but they did not so much as walk through as blow it off its hinges with a scintillating first half.

They then spent the next 45 minutes desperately trying to barricade the hole they left behind as the half-time introduction of Franco Vazquez sparked Sevilla into life.

It means Liverpool need a point at home to Spartak to qualify, but Sevilla could Liverpool Sevilla Sp Moscow Maribor 5 5 5 5 2 2 0 1

L30 2 1 31 2 3

FA16 6 11 11 9 6 2 15 9 8 6 2 Wijnaldum, Henderson, Coutinho (Can, 63 mins), Salah (Oxlade-Chamberlain, 87 mins), Firmino, Mane. Unused subs: Mignolet, Sturridge, Solanke, Alexander-Arnold.

Manofthematch: Roberto Firmino Match rating: 9/10

Referee: Felix Brych (Germany)

snatch top spot as they play already-eliminated Maribor.

The difference between the two halves was stark as just 90 seconds had passed when Georginio Wijnaldum flicked Philippe Coutinho’s corner to the far post where Firmino stabbed home.

Sevilla would have been level had Sergio Escudero not fired into the side-netting instead of crossing, and then Loris Karius produced a brilliant save to divert Nolito’s shot onto the post.

Liverpool heeded the warnings and stepped up a gear, with Jordan Henderson putting Firmino through only for the Brazilian to disappoint with his finish, allowing Sergio Rico to turn the shot behind.

The save proved academic as what followed was a virtually identical Coutinho corner, this time flicked on by Firmino for Mane at the far post.

On the half-hour Mane was sent down the left and, when his shot was parried, Firmino tapped into an empty net.

The game seemed out of sight and the in-form Mohammed Salah should have left no room for doubt before the break only to lack a finish.

Eighteen months ago, Liverpool held a slender half-time lead in the Europa League final but capitulated to lose 3-1, and there was a sense of history repeating itself as Ben Yedder struck twice.

Alberto Moreno was most culpable as he was responsible for both fouls, allowing Ben Yedder to head in a near-post free-kick and then tripping the Sevilla striker to allow him to score a re-taken penalty.

The Spaniard was hauled off with Coutinho as James Milner and Emre Can were sent on to steady a sinking ship only for Pizarro to nick a point.