UK Edition
Spartak Moscow 1 Liverpool 1: Eight-year wait for away win in Champions League continues as 'Fab Four' fail to strike right chord
The greatest deception of Spartak Moscow came seconds before kick-off against Liverpool in Moscow.
Unfurling a banner which covered half a stand, the words ‘Win or Die’ instructed and warned the home players.
Ninety-eight minutes of retreat, after which the hosts somehow escaped with a point, exposed the sham. The Russians were relieved and elated having defied Liverpool with a combination of goalkeeping excellence and unforeseen profligacy from Jurgen Klopp’s attacking line-up.
It was another evening in Europe promising more than it delivered for Klopp, although it is inexplicable his side did not claim the victory.
This may yet prove a useful away point, but if there is an art to playing well and not winning Liverpool have mastered it.
Liverpool created plenty and yet again paid for their only blemish at the back. It a theme; it is habitual. There is so much to be excited about when they play like this, but without an end product they will only ever be admired rather than feared.
Despite packing his side with all the ammunition at his disposal, Klopp could only fling his arms in disbelief as the opportunities came and went.
It even needed two keepers to keep Liverpool out. First Artem Rebrov gave what must have been the performance of his career, and then when he was injured his deputy Aleksandr Selikhov defied the visitors with similar reflexes, particularly from a late Mohamed Salah header.
Rarely, if ever, could Klopp have seen such a one-sided contest go with such paltry reward, and he had to consider if this was luck or a lack of clinical edge. In truth, perhaps both.
“At this moment we are not the most lucky team in world football. We did really well against a defensive orientated team,” said Klopp.
“Both games we could and should have won. That is our fault. It was not a perfect game but there were a lot of good things.”
In all, 17 chances came and went. The list would take up this report, suffice to say Sadio Mane, Salah, Roberto Firmino and Daniel Sturridge were all culpable.
Klopp had said his answer to defensive vulnerabilities is to advance further forward. He was not bluffing.
In their 50 years of European travel, Liverpool could never have fielded such an attacking line-up. Whether the inclusion of so many creative players is considered bold, reckless, naïve or all three, it certainly deserved more.
Philippe Coutinho scored his second in two games, his road to redemption after summer tetchiness already paved with good intentions. But that cancelled out Fernando’s free-kick, Liverpool again looking suspiciously towards their goalkeeper – in this case Loris Karius.
There is an established blueprint for a tricky European away tie. Keep it tight, quieten the crowd, wait for home frustration to kick in and then pounce the longer the game proceeds.
Klopp evidently has a different perspective, and the way in which Liverpool dominated possession suggested the manager correctly calculated his defence would not need much protection. As ever with this side, a combination of squandering too many chances, and conceding under the minimum of pressure, ensured there was a dangerous familiarity to proceedings.
Spartak scored with their only attempt. Coutinho was adjudged to have fouled Aleksandr Samedov, and Fernando strode forward to hit the free-kick beyond Karius. At first glance it seemed the German keeper - preferred to Simon Mignolet on Champions League duty - was hesitant, regardless of how powerfully struck the set-piece.
One shot, one goal. That kind of consistency rate is alarmingly frequent for Liverpool’s defence, albeit none of the back four were culpable here.
There was no cause for panic at that stage, only 23 minutes played, and the response was impressive. When Mane ran, the Spartak defenders’ legs visibly wobbled. He combined with Coutinho to create the equaliser on 31 minutes. This was the kind of football which makes Klopp’s time so pleasing to watch; quick, incisive, penetrative and clinical. When they get it right it is marvellous, and Coutinho’s finish gave the advancing Rebrov no chance.
The chances kept coming; Klopp’s initially enthusiastic applause for his side going close turning to howls of frustration.
Substitute Sturridge should have won it in the last five minutes, and then Salah in the eight minutes of injury time, but dominance and frustration have become Anfield twins in recent weeks.
A draw was hardly a calamity, but Liverpool’s eight-year wait for a win in the group stage of this competition is extended. Despite this, Klopp is convinced his team will progress.
“Yes, I saw enough,” said Klopp.
“In both games we were the better side. They had some injuries and will have better players next time, but we are strong enough to go through and we have to do it.
“When the door is open you have to go through. Sometimes you have situations like this. Carry on, work hard and you succeed in the end.”
79 mins
Absolutely awful football from all concerned. Sturridge has the ball, support, and time in the area... but gives it away tamely. To Fernando, who attempts to dribble out of his own box and miscontrols it. To Firmino, who panics and smashes a wild shot, when he had loads of options.
Timewasters, frankly. I could have watched Spurs.
57 mins
Mane with a clever ball through for Salah. Keeper out bravely, just gets there in time, but gets duffed up in the process. Rebrov needs treatment.
More than decent shout for a penalty that. Keeper seemed to touch him, and I didn't see the keeper touch the ball.
Half time: Spartak Moscow 1 Liverpool 1
Entertaining stuff, as it almost always is with Klopp's side. Liverpool's front four looking dangerous but.. imprecise, I guess would be the word. Spartak are okay, with a bit more of a clinical approach, Liverpool could bury these. But final passes are going awry, runs are not being timed to beat offside flags, etc .
And as ever, Liverpool's defence gives you a chance. Anybody's game.
Klopp speaks
One of the most positive hard decisions I have had to make, who to pick. Job of all of the other six to protect the back four, everyone is responsible for everything.
Spartak were the best side in their League last year. They qualified for this competition in a very tough game. Very experienced, good footballing side. They are not a long ball team or something. Short passes, they work hard.
They have had bad luck with injuries this season.
Teams
Spartak Moscow: Rebrov, Eshchenko, Tasci, Kutepov, Bocchetti, Dzhikija, Samedov, Fernando, Pasalic, Popov, Luiz Adriano. Subs: Selikhov, Petkovic, Bakaev, Samsonov, Melgarejo, Davydov, Pedro Rocha.
Liverpool: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Can, Henderson, Coutinho, Salah, Firmino, Mane. Subs: Mignolet, Wijnaldum, Milner, Sturridge, Klavan, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Flanagan.
Referee: Clement Turpin (France)
Also in action tonight
are Manchester City, who take on Shakhtar. The boys from Donetsk name Fred and Bernard in their XI; Alan is on the bench. Go'orn Alan. Give 'em hell.
If you want to follow updates of that match, head over to our Manchester City vs Shakhtar Donetsk blog