Champions League is finally back at Anfield after three years of absence and the 5-time champions are set to kickstart their European campaign against La Liga heavyweights Sevilla in a group stage encounter. Liverpool had a painful outcome when these two sides met last year in Europa League final where Liverpool lost 3-1 despite leading at half-time. Tonight’s Anfield outing was an opportunity to seek a revenge as well as shake off Saturday’s disastrous defeat (5-0) against Manchester City and bounce back. The Redmen, however, failed to turn things around completely as the game ended in all square after full-time.
Below are the Liverpool players rated from the fixture.
Loris Karius: 6
Klopp has decided to play the German custodian in European fixtures ahead of Simon Mignolet who has shown massive improvement since January. Karius already featured once this season during Liverpool’s 4-0 triumph over Arsenal. He had a nervy outing against the Gunners but did well with his distribution this time. Was unlucky to concede twice.
Joe Gomez: 5.5
Joe Gomez returned to the starting line-up after delivering a stellar show against the Gunners prior to the international break. He had an impressive first half but struggled against young Joaquin Correa after the break. Was sent off in closing seconds.
Joel Matip: 6
Matip was calm and composed but failed to contain Luis Muriel who came on as a substitute in the second half.
Dejan Lovren: 4
Lovren has returned to Liverpool’s starting line-up after being benched for the Manchester City outing where the Reds conceded 5 times at Etihad. Lovren, as usual, made a dreadful mistake after failing to make a simple clearance which was eventually converted by Wissam Ben Yedder to earn Sevilla an early lead against the run of play.
Alberto Moreno: 7.5
The ex-Sevilla full-back was awful against his boyhood side last year and was largely at fault in Liverpool’s defeat. He has earned another lifeline to prove his worth this season after impressing the Reds boss Jurgen Klopp during pre-season and the Spaniard proved to be one of the top performers for Liverpool tonight with his rigorous runs down the left-hand flank and also maintained his defensive responsibilities.
He set it up for Roberto Firmino brilliantly in Liverpool’s equalizer and came close in closing seconds of the first-half to take his side further ahead. However, his second half display was not at par as the game ended in all square.
Jordan Henderson: 6
The skipper was winning possession in midfield and keeping it mobile for his side. Played a massive role in Liverpool’s first half equalizer. Had a shaky second half and lacked enough involvement in the attack like he was having in first 45 minutes.
Emre Can: 6
Can had an unimpressive outing against Manchester City on Saturday but had an early opportunity to stage a comeback. The Germany international, however, missed a golden opportunity in the first half, one of those missed chances that cost three points for the hosts. Was subbed off in the second half to be replaced by Philippe Coutinho.
Georginio Wijnaldum: 8
Wijnaldum was impressive in midfield as he worked tirelessly to win possession and pressing up front. He was also combining well with the front trio in order to create space in Sevilla back-line.
Mohamed Salah: 8.5
Enjoyed the best outing in Liverpool colours so far as he troubled the Sevilla defence with his pace, cut insides and runs. His shot took a wicked deflection of Simon Kjaer and went straight into the back of the net to earn the Reds a first half lead. Was taken off in closing minutes to be replaced by Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Sadio Mane: 7
Sadio Mane had a painful away trip to Etihad where he was shown a straight Red for injuring custodian Ederson and will now serve three-game ban in domestic competitions. But the Senegalese wingman was available for the Reds’ European fixture and looked impressive with his dribbling, pace, and runs. Earned a spot-kick which Roberto Firmino failed to convert. Had a quiet second half and was taken off to be replaced by Daniel Sturridge.
Roberto Firmino: 7
Firmino scored the equalizer in the first half but failed to convert a spot-kick that struck the post. The Reds suffered for these missed opportunities as Sevilla hit a second half goal to make it all square at Anfield.
Substitutes
Philippe Coutinho: 5
Came on as a replacement of Emre Can. Needs time to settle in after a difficult summer.
Daniel Sturridge: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain: NA
Played too little to warrant a rating.
