Jurgen Klopp gives directions from the touchline (Picture: Getty)

Antonio Conte’s advice was crucial to Spartak Moscow securing a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in Russia, according to their manager Massimo Carrera.

The Spartak boss was assistant coach to the Chelsea manager during his time at Juventus and Italy and the two have remained close friends.

Carrera revealed before the game he had spoke to Conte about Jurgen Klopp, but played down the length of the conversation.

Liverpool missed a host of chances to beat Spartak, but Carrera admitted after the result that Conte’s tips had been vital to their performance.

‘During the conversation we talked about Liverpool for just a couple of minutes,’ he said after the game.

Liverpool 2017/18 Fixtures

Brighton (H) - Sun May 13
Real Madrid (N) - Champions League -Sat May 26

Philippe Coutinho got Liverpool back into the game (Picture: Getty)
Before wasting a host of chances (Picture :Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)

‘We more discussed the situation in our teams, personal affairs, vacation, but what he said about the British, I needed.’

Carrera added: ‘We played a great game against a very good team.

‘I don’t have any complaints about my team’s performance.

Massimo Carrera is good friends with Antonio Conte (Picture: Getty)
Massimo Carrera is good friends with Antonio Conte (Picture: Getty)

Up Next

(Picture: Getty)
(Picture: Getty)

‘I just want to praise everyone. Am I happy with the result? Yes, we got a draw against a very good team.’

Poor goalkeeping from Loris Karius gifted Spartak the lead before Philippe Coutinho finished off a brilliant move to level the game.

Spartak benefited from Liverpool’s wastefulness in front of goal as the Reds racked up 16 attempts.

(Picture: Action Images via Reuters/John Sibley)

Six of those were on target with Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge all guilty of missing golden chances in injury time.

Liverpool now have two points from two Champions League group games while Conte’s help keeps Spartak’s hopes alive they can battle out of the group.

Sevilla now sit top of Liverpool’s group after thrashing Maribor 3-0.

MORE : Barcelona and Liverpool hero Luis Suarez ‘is a Manchester United player’, claims Gary Neville

MORE : Frank Lampard hails ‘brilliant’ Philippe Coutinho after Liverpool’s draw with Spartak Moscow