Skip to main content

Football Shambolic defending once again costs Liverpool three points

Liverpool 2-2 Sevilla

Having navigated a Champions League qualifier against German side Hoffenheim, Liverpool began their foray into the competition proper with an eventful draw against Sevilla on Wednesday evening.

Sevilla manager Eduardo Berizzo was sent from the touchline by referee Danny Makkelie after he threw the ball away for a second time, preventing the home side from taking a quick throw-in.

The Argentinian manager explained the incident afterwards, claiming that his second offence was merely to even out the first.

“In the first half when we were winning and Liverpool were on the counter, I did something not right,” he admitted. “I did throw the ball away. I was trying to waste time for my team.

“In the second half when we were losing, and chasing the game, I still decided the throw the ball away to try to make up for what I was doing in the first half.

“I explained that to Jurgen Klopp and he understood, but the officials didn’t.”

Wissam Ben Yedder opened the scoring after some typically lax Liverpool defending. A cross from the left sailed past Joe Gomez and through Dejan Lovren, allowing the French striker to tap home and temporarily silence Anfield.

But Klopp’s side recovered, converting their dominance into goals when Roberto Firmino turned in Alberto Moreno’s cross, and a Mohamed Salah shot from distance deflected in off Simon Kjaer.

Firmino had a chance from the penalty spot when Nicolas Pareja fouled Sadio Mane, but the Brazilian hit the post.

While Berizzo sat in the stand his team improved, following the instructions he’d laid out to them at half-time. The equaliser came when an excellent first touch from Joaquin Correa took him between the defence, and his finish past Loris Karius was equally impressive.

“There’s space for improvement for all of us,” said Klopp when asked about his leaky defence, which faced two shots on target and conceded two goals. “We need to learn to be dominant and not to give easy goals away.”

Joe Gomez was sent off in the dying minutes, receiving a second yellow card in injury time as the visitors threatened to steal a win.

Though Liverpool held on, they will rue the fact that they couldn’t put the game to bed during their periods of dominance, and will also be worried about a defence which continues to gift goals to the opposition.

OWNED BY OUR READERS

We're a reader-owned co-operative, which means you can become part of the paper too by buying shares in the People’s Press Printing Society.

 

 

Become a supporter

Fighting fund

You've Raised:£ 13,288
We need:£ 4,712
3 Days remaining
Donate today