DRAWN AND QUARTERED
Dodgy backline causes Reds Euro pain yet again
A HUGE banner was raised before kick-off which read Win or Die.
It did not feel quite as bad as that but the Reds have only themselves to blame for failing to get an away win which would have been a huge step towards the knock-out stages.
They dropped two home points against Sevilla in their opening fixture and it is difficult to fathom how they did not get all three points in Moscow.
Jurgen Klopp fielded his Fab Four but even their attacking prowess could only produce one goal on a frustrating night in the Russian capital.
Typically, it was a beautiful goal from Philippe Coutinho and you thought then they would go on and win comfortably. But they failed to capitalise on their domination.
It was made more frustrating because the goal they conceded was careless defending from a back four which seems incapable of keeping a clean sheet.
As entertaining as they are going forward, Liverpool will surely come undone against top opposition as they always look likely to concede.
A combination of Emre Can losing possession, Coutinho giving away a free-kick and unconvincing goalkeeping from Loris Karius allowed Spartak to take the lead and no amount of pressure from Liverpool could break the hosts’ resistance. At time up, their fans celebrated as if they had won, and no wonder. Liverpool had 17 attempts on goal to Spartak’s four.
Even a fearsome forward line was not enough. It was the first time Coutinho, Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Mo Salah had started together this season in a move which was either very brave or very naive. Unfortunately, when you don’t win it will look like the latter.
Klopp just does not seem to know how to organise his defence. Asked why he was playing all four, he said before kick-off: “Everybody asked me so I thought, go on do it!”
If Liverpool fans cannot enjoy Klopp’s cavalier attitude and sense of fun, something must be wrong. But it is also frustrating. Liverpool have become the great entertainers. They leak goals but have you on the edge of your seat for 90 minutes.
From the start Mane was racing down the right, Salah on the left with Firmino through the middle with Coutinho just behind. They tore into Spartak with even the defenders getting in on the action as teenager Trent AlexanderArnold fired wide after 11 minutes.
Then Firmino’s header produced a brilliant save from Spartak keeper Artem Rebrov. But at the other end Liverpool’s defence looked horribly vulnerable. And sure enough, they were undone after 23 minutes.
Can lost possession, Coutinho gave away a foul 25 yards out and Spartak were ahead with their first effort. Brazilian Fernando curled in a free kick with whip and power but there will be question marks around Karius.
It was incredible that they were behind but it wasn’t for long as Coutinho got them level after 31 minutes, playing a one-two with Mane before firing home.
After the break Klopp’s men laid siege but couldn’t find the winner their pressure deserved.