Match ends, Liverpool 2, Sevilla 2.
Liverpool's first game in the Champions League since 2014 ended in a draw with Sevilla at Anfield.
In a repeat of the 2016 Europa League final, which the Spaniards won in Basel, Argentine midfielder Joaquin Correa cut through the Liverpool defence and curled home a cool finish to clinch a point.
It had taken Sevilla just five minutes to take the lead as Wissam Ben Yedder tapped in from close range after home defender Dejan Lovren fell over while trying to clear the ball.
Sadio Mane tested visiting goalkeeper Sergio Rico with a low drive as Liverpool looked to get back into the game, and they managed to do so when Roberto Firmino finished off a fine team move from close range.
The five-time winners continued to push forward and were rewarded as Mohamed Salah's strike looped in via a huge deflection off Simon Kjaer, but then Firmino, presented with the chance to give the home side breathing space, struck a penalty against the post.
Georginio Wijnaldum came close with a low drive in the second half but the English side were punished for not adding to their advantage when they conceded with 18 minutes remaining.
Luis Muriel could have won it for Sevilla in injury time, but shot wide from inside the box, before Reds defender Joe Gomez was dismissed for a second bookable offence.
Midfielder Philippe Coutinho, who requested a transfer in the summer, made his first appearance of the season for Liverpool, coming on for Emre Can on 75 minutes.
In the other Group F game, Maribor came from behind with five minutes remaining to draw 1-1 against Spartak Moscow.
- Relive Liverpool's draw against Sevilla
- Football Daily: 'Kane the most complete centre forward for some time'
Defensive fragility costs Reds
Liverpool have conceded eight goals in three league games so far this season, and their problems at the back were in evidence again at Anfield. They have now failed to keep a clean sheet in 11 of their past 12 Champions League contests.
Manager Jurgen Klopp, a Champions League runner-up in charge of Borussia Dortmund in 2013, did not manage to address the side's defensive issues in the summer, missing out on key target Virgil van Dijk from Southampton.
The lack of understanding among the backline is further complicated by Klopp's apparent indecision about his number one goalkeeper, alternating between Simon Mignolet and Loris Karius for the third straight game, with the German being handed a start this time.
Sevilla's opener came as their opponents failed to close them down on the edge of the box and the ball was played out wide to Sergio Escudero. The full-back drilled a low ball into the box, which Lovren made a hash of clearing, allowing Frenchman Ben Yedder an easy finish at the far post.
For their second, Liverpool were slow to react to a quick throw as former Blackburn midfielder Steven N'Zonzi - an imposing presence for the away side - slipped the ball to Correa, who broke through Liverpool's central defence and stroked in.
To make matters worse, full-back Gomez will miss the next group game through suspension after being sent off in the 94th minute.
Sevilla boss Eduardo Berizzo was also dismissed earlier in the evening for throwing the ball away when it went out of play.
Coutinho welcomed back
Before the first round of games, an analytical study by statisticians Gracenote Sports suggested Liverpool had an 81% chance of progressing to the knockout stages - the highest of the six British teams in the competition.
There is work to do now, however, as they failed to hold on to a lead and became the only English side on match day one not to win, amid comfortable victories for Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham.
It could have been worse, too, after they fell behind early at Anfield, but the attacking potency of Firmino - four goals this season already - Salah (also four) and Mane (three), often proved too much for the La Liga side as the trio demonstrated their intelligence and speed of play to put the home side ahead and threaten to dominate the game.
But Firmino's first-half penalty miss - awarded after a tug by visiting captain Nicolas Pareja on Mane - was crucial. With it went the prospect of a two-goal cushion, and back came the old defensive doubts.
Midfielder Coutinho returned to action for the first time since the club rejected three bids from Barcelona in the summer, and the Brazilian received a raucous ovation from the crowd, although he failed to make an impact in his 15 minutes on the pitch.
Man of the match - Steven N'Zonzi (Sevilla)
A draw does not feel good - Klopp
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "It was pretty much a winning performance for 85-86 minutes and the team played well against a side who play well. We had answers for everything apart from the goals. I have to see them again. That is not the good thing. It was an exciting game from my side, everyone saw our desire and passion but we got a point.
"We know we have to improve but there is so much potential and we can work with this. It is a draw - it does not feel too good but I am fine with big parts of the performance."
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson: "We could have taken the three points with the chances we created in both halves but they got us on the counter-attack. We are disappointed not to take the points but the lads reacted well to the weekend [a 5-0 defeat at Manchester City]. We looked exciting and could have scored a few more goals.
"We wanted to win the ball back quickly and get the crowd behind us. The lads reacted brilliantly to going behind and there are positives from the game."
What next?
Liverpool host Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday (kick-off 15:00 BST), while Sevilla travel to Girona in La Liga on Sunday (kick-off 15:15 BST).
Firmino off the spot - the stats
- Liverpool have only won one of their nine Champions League home games against Spanish opposition (drawn four, lost four).
- Mohamed Salah is the first Egyptian player to score on his Champions League debut for two sides (Basel and Liverpool).
- Roberto Firmino is the first Liverpool player to miss a penalty in the Champions League (excluding shootouts) since Steven Gerrard against Marseille in December 2007 (Gerrard scored from the rebound).
- Sevilla scored with both of their shots on target versus Liverpool.
- Joe Gomez is the fourth Liverpool player to be sent off in the Champions League after Lazar Markovic, Jermaine Pennant and Didier Hamann.
Line-ups
Liverpool
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Karius
- 12GomezBooked at 90mins
- 32Matip
- 6Lovren
- 18MorenoBooked at 39mins
- 23CanSubstituted forCoutinhoat 76'minutes
- 14Henderson
- 5Wijnaldum
- 11SalahSubstituted forOxlade-Chamberlainat 89'minutes
- 9Firmino
- 19ManéSubstituted forSturridgeat 83'minutes
Substitutes
- 7Milner
- 10Coutinho
- 15Sturridge
- 17Klavan
- 21Oxlade-Chamberlain
- 22Mignolet
- 26Robertson
Sevilla
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Rico
- 25MercadoBooked at 35mins
- 21Martín ParejaBooked at 42mins
- 4Kjaer
- 18Escudero
- 14PizarroSubstituted forSarabiaat 45+1'minutes
- 15N'Zonzi
- 10BanegaBooked at 38mins
- 16NavasSubstituted forCorchiaat 83'minutes
- 9Ben YedderSubstituted forMurielat 69'minutes
- 11Correa
Substitutes
- 2Corchia
- 6Martins Carriço
- 7Krohn-Dehli
- 13Soria
- 17Sarabia
- 20Muriel
- 22Vázquez
- Referee:
- Danny Makkelie
- Attendance:
- 52,332
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home24
- Away7
- Shots on Target
- Home7
- Away2
- Corners
- Home10
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home14
- Away9
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Liverpool 2, Sevilla 2.
Post update
Attempt missed. Éver Banega (Sevilla) right footed shot from more than 40 yards on the left wing is close, but misses to the right from a direct free kick.
Dismissal
Second yellow card to Joseph Gomez (Liverpool) for a bad foul.
Post update
Joaquín Correa (Sevilla) wins a free kick on the left wing.
Post update
Foul by Joseph Gomez (Liverpool).
Post update
Attempt missed. Luis Muriel (Sevilla) right footed shot from the left side of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Nico Pareja.
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Attempt saved. Georginio Wijnaldum (Liverpool) header from the centre of the box is saved in the centre of the goal. Assisted by Philippe Coutinho with a cross.
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Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Steven N'Zonzi.
Post update
Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Pablo Sarabia.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain replaces Mohamed Salah.
Post update
Attempt missed. Joaquín Correa (Sevilla) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Pablo Sarabia with a cross following a corner.
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Corner, Sevilla. Conceded by Alberto Moreno.
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Daniel Sturridge replaces Sadio Mané.
Substitution
Substitution, Sevilla. Sébastien Corchia replaces Jesús Navas.
Post update
Gabriel Mercado (Sevilla) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool).
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Foul by Pablo Sarabia (Sevilla).
Post update
Alberto Moreno (Liverpool) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Attempt blocked. Pablo Sarabia (Sevilla) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
Comments
Join the conversation
Klopp should realise now he needs a defence, he needs a 20/25 goal a season player and he needs to get them quickly. As most of us have been saying for some time...
Oh and I see the trolls are out in full force, get a life you bitter, sad, pathetic humans.
Comedy night at Anfield, love it.
Just shows how spineless & fickle these Liverpool fans are giving Coutinho a heroes welcome when he's made it clear he doesn't want to be there and even feigned a back injury to avoid playing for them.
They should be giving him dogs abuse, not worshipping him.
What is the world coming to... Just look at the no.1 rated comment for Gods sake! :O
Please people, I know football can play with the heartstrings, but try and be the change you wish to see in the world!
City win 4-0, 5 comments.
You clowns are obsessed with Liverpool. Completely outplayed Sevilla, ended up drawing. But from the comments you'd think we were thrashed.
There's something about that statement that doesn't ring true. Am I missing something.
Way too many trolls with time on their hands. Ever wondered if spending your Wednesday evenings trolling is the reason your single?
They missed a sitter at the end, Loserpool were very very lucky to get a point.