Jurgen Klopp frustrated as Liverpool fail to unlock Spartak on crazy European night

JURGEN KLOPP was left frustrated after Liverpool squandered a glut of chances in a "crazy game" and were held to their second consecutive draw in the Champions League.

LiverpoolGETTY

Liverpool could only draw against Spartak Moscow

Philippe Coutinho scored for the second game running to cancel out a Fernando's free-kick - which he had conceded.

But for once it was Liverpool's finishing rather than their defending that let them down as they allowed Spartak Moscow off the hook in a 1-1 draw.

Klopp said: "It was a crazy game. To create all those chances and only score one goal feels average.

"What can I say? We created, created and created against a very defensive-orientated team. Where is the real point for criticism? 

“We tried with all we had. The effort was great. We controlled the game from start to finish so we should win it comfortably. It was disappointing.

"On another day it could have been three or four. The performance was decent but not enough to win the game. 

“I thought we defended well for the majority of the game. But we have to finish the game off and be more ruthless.

"At this moment we are not the most lucky  team in the world. The free-kick from which they scored was not a foul, although it was a brilliant free-kick. 

"But the only target is to get through the group and that is still possible. We should have won both games but I'm certain we are strong enough to qualify."

We controlled the game from start to finish so we should win it comfortably. It was disappointing.

Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool skipper Jordan Henderson said: “It's disappointing. We controlled the game from start to finish so we should win it comfortably.

"We have got to make sure we don’t give goals away first and foremost.

"On another day it could have been three or four. The performance was decent but not enough to win the game. I thought we defended well for the majority of the game. But we have to finish the game off and be more ruthless."

Liverpool now face a double header against NK Maribor but have just two points from their opening two games.

However they are just two points below Sevilla - who beat Maribor 3-0 - and will still believe they can qualify for the knockout stages.

And while Klopp insists they defended well his decision to select Loris Karius in goal ahead of Simon Mignolet has been questioned by former Liverpool assistant manager Phil Thompson.

“They've had two attempts, one from the free-kick which they scored, and one from another shot which Karius blocked. But for the goal, the goalkeeper should do much better,” Thompson said.

And he believes they will regret giving up another two points tonight. 

FirminoGETTY

Roberto Firmino missed a few chances for the visitors

He added: “I would have to say the final ball at times let them down. Too much weight on it, not crossing it early enough, or putting the ball behind players when they had chances.

“This is a massive two points dropped. I think these were the top pick in Pot 1, and you think my goodness, Liverpool have just absolutely steamrolled them from start to finish. They will be kicking themselves in that dressing room.”

Former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard questioned whether Liverpool have a centre-forward who can push them forward into challengers for the big prizes.

“My fear with them sometimes is that there are a lot of goals, they share the goals around, they’re a very good attacking force as a four,” Lampard said on BT Sport.

“Sometimes I wonder if they should have someone right up there in the box. 

“Firmino comes slightly deep, very creative, very good. 

“But with all the pace they have in behind teams, I wonder if they have a Michael Owen back in the day, where you can put house on 20 goals plus. 

“That might be the difference, but still we are looking at four fantastic players.”

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?