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Champions League | Group Stage
Nov 21, 2017 at 7.45pm UK
 
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3-3

Ben Yedder (51', 60' pen.), Pizarro (90')
FT(HT: 0-3)
Firmino (2', 30'), Mane (22')

Liverpool Newsdesk Live: Sevilla build-up, Sturridge latest, more

Keep up with all of the latest Liverpool news and rumours throughout the day, as well as build-up to the Champions League encounter with Sevilla.
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Join us LIVE throughout today for all of the latest Liverpool news and speculation, as well as all of the build-up to tonight's Champions League encounter with Sevilla.

Jurgen Klopp's side can make it five straight wins in all competitions if they triumph in Spain tonight, while a victory will also ensure that the Reds progress to the last-16 stage of the competition for the first time in nine years.

We'll also have the latest on the fitness of Adam Lallana and rumours linking Philippe Coutinho with both Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain.


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GOOD MORNING!

Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's all-day Liverpool live blog! We'll be across everything to do with the Reds right here today, including tonight's crucial Champions League fixture at Sevilla.

Jurgen Klopp's charges lead the way in Group E, having managed two wins and two draws in their campaign to date, and another victory in Spain will ensure that they join Premier League rivals Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the last-16 stage. A draw could also do the trick if Spartak Moscow lose at home to Maribor.

Here's how things currently stand:

The big news ahead of the clash is that Adam Lallana could be in line for his first competitive start this season, having travelled with the squad to Spain after overcoming a thigh injury. We'll have more on that story later but for now, let's start by taking a look at the major stories in today's papers...



KLOPP RESPONDS TO STURRIDGE EXIT RUMOURS

Reports over the weekend suggested that Daniel Sturridge has grown unhappy with has lack of game time at Anfield and is willing to move on to pastures new in order to improve his chances of featuring at the World Cup.

The striker has started just four times in the Premier League under Klopp this season, scoring twice, and has been limited to cameos from the bench in the Reds' Champions League campaign.

Liverpool are said to be sympathetic to Sturridge's plight and would apparently be "willing to listen to offers" for him in January, but Klopp insisted that he has not thought for "a second" about his potential exit.

Questioned by reporters on the issue yesterday, he said: "At the moment we need all our players. So we have November, and even if he feels a little different, there is a month and a half to go until any window opens and until then I don't think a second about things like this."

Read more from Klopp on Sturridge here.



WOLVES MIDFIELDER ON KLOPP'S RADAR?

Wolverhampton Wanderers have got the new season off to a flier down in the Championship, leading the way in the second tier with a 38 points from their first 17 games under new Portuguese manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who turned down the Everton job earlier this month.

The Reds have already been linked with a move for one Wolves player in recent weeks - England under-17 World Cup winner Morgan Gibbs-White - and according to reports in Morocco, midfielder Romain Saiss is also under consideration.

The 27-year-old has emerged as a key pillar in the middle of a 3-4-3 system that has served Wolves well so far this term, provoking the interest of Liverpool, who have now been linked with a January bid.

Wolves remain singularly focused on a return to the Premier League this season, however, and will reportedly reject any approaches for Saiss.



KLOPP: SEVILLA IS "BIGGEST GAME"

Jurgen Klopp declared that his side have "obviously improved" but will face a tough test at Sevilla tonight in what is the "biggest game" of their Champions League campaign to date.

The Reds were held to a 2-2 draw by the La Liga side in the reverse fixture back in September but go into tonight's encounter having won their last four games in all competitions, a run that has seen them score 13 goals with just one in reply.

Their opponents are in slightly more indifferent form, losing three of their last five in La Liga, but Klopp has warned of a tough game against "a very experienced team".

Watch Klopp's full pre-match press conference, where he was joined by Ragnar Klavan, below:



EXTENDED SPAIN STAY FOR LIVERPOOL

Jurgen Klopp won't be rushing his players onto the plane after tonight's game in Seville, no matter the result. The Reds flew out yesterday and had been due to return to the UK overnight tonight in order to prepare for this Saturday's showdown with Chelsea.

The German boss has decided on a change of plans, however, and will stay with his players in Spain for an extra night before training on Wednesday morning and then returning to the UK that afternoon.

Jurgen Klopp watches the warm-up ahead of the Premier League game between Liverpool and Burnley on September 16, 2017© Offside

"We thought a lot about. How we do it [travel home], no way is the perfect way after the game - if you fly home immediately then in the middle of the night you come home and you cannot really sleep then have to go to training the next day," Klopp told the Liverpool website.

"We decided this time we would stay there because of the long flight. We will train there and that's why we've brought a bigger squad with us, so we can have a proper session in the morning.

"Then we boys can go home and immediately to their families. Then we start again on Thursday preparing for the Chelsea game."



KLOPP: FIRMINO IS OUR "ENGINE"

Jurgen Klopp has described Roberto Firmino as "the engine of the team", hailing him as instrumental in their recent run of four back-to-back wins in all competitions.

The Brazilian has only managed to find the net during that time, despite impressing with his high pressing play and workrate, but Klopp is adamant that the goals will come.

"What a player! What can I say? If he loses the ball, he fights for it back. If he loses it again, he fights for it," he told the Reds' website. "He looks like the engine of the team.

"I really like how the crowd appreciate it. It's really nice to see and he deserves it, he works so hard. They all work hard, but as a striker of course you always think you should score as well. He will, 100%."

Read more from Klopp here.



KLOPP: NO INTEREST IN BARCELONA JOB

Jurgen Klopp has ruled out the possibility of managing Barcelona in the future, insisting that he is "really happy" on Merseyside.

The German was touted as a potential candidate to take over at Camp Nou over the summer following the departure of Luis Enrique, before Ernesto Valverde was handed the role.

In Spain for the Reds' Champions League game with Sevilla tonight, Klopp was asked by local reporters whether he would be open to taking the reins in Catalonia.

'I don't need good weather," he replied. "I'm really happy at Liverpool, as I was really happy at [Borussia] Dortmund. I've fulfilled my dreams already.

"If Liverpool don't want me any more, I have to start thinking new. But in this moment I'm really happy and I don't think about any clubs."



GERRARD IN UEFA'S 'TEAM OF CENTURY'

Former Reds skipper Steven Gerrard is the only English player named in UEFA's 'Team of the Century' XI.

The 37-year-old, who won the Champions League, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, two FA Cups and three League Cups during his time at Anfield, is also one of two players - alongside Bayern Munich's Phillip Lahm - never to have played for the Spanish giants.

UEFA Team of the Century (4-3-3): Casillas; Ramos, Pique, Puyol, Lahm; Gerrard, Xavi, Iniesta; Ronaldo, Messi, Henry



CARRAGHER BACKS SALAH FOR AT LEAST 25 GOALS

Reds legend Jamie Carragher has backed Mohamed Salah to reach at least 25 goals for the club this season even if he continues to play on the right of the front line.

The 25-year-old became the club's record signing when he moved to Anfield from Roma in a £37m deal over the summer and has since been in superb form, registering 14 goals in all competitions for the side to date.

"People questioned Liverpool last season that they didn't have a goalscorer and you always imagine your goalscorer as your number nine; Harry Kane for Spurs or Romelu Lukakau or Alvaro Morata at top clubs as a centre-forward who gets a lot of goals," Carragher told Sky Sports News.

"Liverpool have got Firmino, but if Salah is getting the goals it doesn't matter where he's playing. If he is going to get 25 goals this season - which he looks on course to get - it's not a problem what position you get them in.

"Firmino will probably get or 10 or 12, which is a good return for a wide player. If you flip them around position-wise it's not a problem. Salah will take a little bit of pressure off Firmino in terms of that accusation that he doesn't get enough goals. They've really got a top goalscorer now."

Salah is currently the leading goalscorer in the Premier League with a tally of nine goals, one ahead of Manchester City duo Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus.



LIVERPOOL TO SUPPORT RAINBOW LACES

Liverpool have announced plans to support the annual 'Rainbow Laces' campaign, which aims to stamp out homophobia in football.

The Reds' skipper for this weekend's blockbuster clash with Chelsea will sport a rainbow armband, while there will also be rainbow branding on the corner flags, ball plinths and LED boards at Anfield.

"We are proud to be supporting the Rainbow Laces campaign again this year, helping to promote inclusion, equality and diversity in sport," said Simon Thornton, Liverpool's equality and diversity officer. "This is something that the club is really passionate about and continues to work hard at making advances in."

Elsewhere, all fixtures in the three divisions of the EFL will see corner flags replaced by rainbow flags across the weekend.



THOMMO: STURRIDGE SHOULD LEAVE

Phil Thompson has backed Daniel Sturridge in his alleged desire to move on from Anfield in January in order to improve his chances of featuring at the World Cup.

Daniel Sturridge in action during an England training session on August 29, 2017© Offside

The 28-year-old has been handed just four starts in the Premier League so far this season and has also been deployed from the bench in the Champions League, with reports recently suggesting that he is looking to leave the club in the mid-season transfer window and get regular game time elsewhere.

"If I was Jurgen Klopp I'd want him to stay but I understand Sturridge wanting to go.," Thommo told Sky Sports News. "He will not go to the World Cup if he continues within the current squad status.

"As a Liverpool fan, I want see our squad remain together because it isn't that big as it is and he does enhance it. However, on a personal side, having been a player, I'd be worried his chance is passing him by.

"This could maybe be his last World Cup, and when you look at the players who are in that squad, he can still have a major say if he can get back in there. He must be thinking he could play a part this summer."

As for a potential destination for Sturridge, Thompson added: "I don't think one of the big six would take him so it is a big decision what he does. He could also get games by going abroad."



OLIVER TO REFEREE CHELSEA GAME

News just in - the Premier League have confirmed that Michael Oliver has been selected to officiate this weekend's crunch game with Chelsea at Anfield.

The 32-year-old has yet to take charge of a Liverpool game this season and has doled out two red cards in his 11 matches this season so far, including to Blues defender David Luiz for a horror tackle on Arsenal's Sead Kolasinac in September.

Liverpool have never lost a league game at Anfield with Oliver in charge.



MORENO: I WANT THE THREE POINTS

Reds left-back Alberto Moreno has declared himself "a Liverpool player through and through" as he returns to former side Sevilla tonight for a showdown in the Europa League.

The Spaniard left the La Liga side for Anfield in a £12m deal in 2014 and has become a key player under Jurgen Klopp this season, starting the last seven Premier League games in a row.

Alberto Moreno in action during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Arsenal on August 27, 2017© SilverHub

"It is going to be strange and beautiful at the same time. All of my family and friends will be in the stands watching," Moreno told MARCA of tonight's game. "I'm a Liverpool player though and every time I wear this jersey I want to win and I'm not concerned about anything else.

"When Sevilla plays against another team, I obviously want them to win but if we face each other, then I'm sorry but I want the three points."

Tonight's match will serve as a rerun of the 2015-16 Europa League final, where Moreno's former side ran out 3-1 winners on a heartbreaking night for Reds fans in Basel.

"I don't think that anybody likes losing a final and that was a really bad time for me because I had to go back to Seville and put up with the comments," he added. "Fortunately, I isolated myself so I wouldn't fight with people! I didn't think that they were that much better than us in the final.

"They did play a great team and deservedly beat us but it isn't about who is better or worse. Every game and every season is different."Look at me, I've gone from not playing much to playing in every game."



KUYT: VAN DIJK WOULD SUIT LIVERPOOL

Former Liverpool winger Dirk Kuyt has said that defender Virgil van Dijk has "the right mentality" to succeed with the Reds should he make a future move to Anfield.

The Southampton skipper was subject of a failed transfer attempt by Jurgen Klopp's side last summer, with recent reports suggesting that they are gearing up for a fresh approach in January.

"I know Virgil. I didn't play with him in the national team but he's a great player. We'll see how things will go in the winter break or at the end of the season," Kuyt, who turned out for Liverpool between 2006 and 2012, told Sky Sports News.

"I don't think it's strange for me to say he is a player who will suit Liverpool very well. He has the right mentality and he is a great defender.

"He could do a great job at Liverpool but it's not for me to say if he would be an improvement or not. That's up to the club."

Southampton remain steadfast in their stance that Van Dijk will not be sold, although rumours have suggested that they would be prepared to accept a fee in the region of £70m.


SUCCESS IN EUROPE!

Steven Gerrard has led Liverpool's under-19s confidently into the last 16 of the UEFA Youth League courtesy of a 4-0 victory in Sevilla.

The Reds ensured a top-of-the-table finish with one game to spare courtesy of goals from Liam Millar - just 30 seconds into the contest - Herbie Kane, Rhian Brewster and Bobby Adekanye.

Gerrard's charges have managed four wins from their five games to date and will round off the group stages at home to Spartak Moscow on December 6.



TEAM NEWS INCOMING!

We're edging ever closer to kickoff at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, and team news for tonight's game is not far away. We will bring it to you the moment we have it.



TEAM NEWS!

Here is the Liverpool starting XI and subs to take on Sevilla tonight - Coutinho, Mane, Salah and Firmino all start despite Chelsea being on the horizon...





LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Karius; Gomez, Klavan, Lovren, Moreno; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Coutinho; Mane, Salah, Firmino

Subs: Mignolet, Milner, Sturridge, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Can, Solanke, Alexander-Arnold



TWO CHANGES FOR LIVERPOOL

Just the two changes for Liverpool from the weekend win over Southampton then, and both of them were expected.

Loris Karius starts in goal, as he has throughout the champions League campaign so far, while Joe Gomez returns at right-back in place of Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Aside from that it is as you were for the Reds, with Wijnaldum and Henderson once again starting in addition to that deadly quartet which will look to do most of the damage this evening.



SEVILLA TEAM NEWS!

Here is Sevilla's starting XI for tonight's game, complete with former Manchester City forward Nolito and Stoke City midfielder Steven N'Zonzi.

Ben Yedder is the dangerman Liverpool will have to keep an eye out for more so than any else tonight.





TWENTY MINUTES UNTIL KICKOFF!

The wait for kickoff is almost over in Seville, so allow me to point you in the direction of our dedicated live commentary for the game.



RESULT!

There has already been some good news for Liverpool tonight, with Maribor scoring a late equaliser against Spartak Moscow to earn a 1-1 draw in the Russian capital. That leaves Liverpool two points clear of third place in Group E, and ensures that both Sevilla and Liverpool remain as the top two.







KICKOFF!

We're underway in Seville! A reminder that you can find in-depth live coverage of the match by clicking here.


GOAL! Sevilla 0-1 Liverpool (Roberto Firmino)

What a start for Liverpool as they take the lead inside two minutes through Roberto Firmino, who steals in unmarked at the back post to convert from close range!






GOAL! Sevilla 0-2 Liverpool (Sadio Mane)

Liverpool have a second goal, and it is almost a carbon copy of the first! Again it comes from a corner being flicked on at the near post, where this time it is Mane waiting to send a diving header into the bottom corner!



GOAL! Sevilla 0-3 Liverpool (Roberto Firmino)

Liverpool are in dreamland! They have a third and Roberto Firmino has his second, and surely that will be enough to send them into the last 16! Sadio Mane breaks free down the left channel only to see his initial effort saved, but Firmino is there to tuck it home from close range!







HALF TIME: Sevilla 0-3 Liverpool

GOAL! Sevilla 1-3 Liverpool (Wissam Ben Yedder)

Perhaps this one is not over just yet! Again it is a set piece which does the damage as Sevilla pull a goal back early in the second half. Ben Yedder escapes his marker and flicks his header past Karius and into the far corner for his fifth Champions League goal of the season.


PENALTY TO SEVILLA!

GOAL! Sevilla 2-3 Liverpool (Wissam Ben Yedder)

This is quickly turning into a classic, but not for Liverpool fans right now! Sevilla and Wissam Ben Yedder pull a second back, this time from the penalty spot after Moreno had miscontrolled the ball and trip the Sevilla striker inside the penalty area.

Ben Yedder tucks his spot kick away but is told to retake it due to encroachment, but he makes no mistake the second time either and Sevilla are back to within one!



GOAL! Sevilla 3-3 Liverpool (Guido Pizarro)

Incredible scenes at the Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan as Sevilla score with virtually the last kick of the match to surely rescue a point! They have come from three goals down to level things up in one of the most dramatic Champions League comebacks in recent years.

It is a nightmare for Liverpool, though, who seemed to have this match wrapped up.



FULL TIME: Sevilla 3-3 Liverpool

MATCH REPORT!

Phew! Well, there is plenty to catch up on following that incredible match as Liverpool throw away a three-goal lead in the second half to draw 3-3 with Sevilla, which means they must wait until the final matchday to confirm their place in the last 16.

Many Liverpool fans may have taken a draw before the game, but the way it transpired to lead to plenty more questions about the Reds' defence.

You can read our match report from Sevilla by clicking here.



Reaction from the Liverpool camp is coming - it will be especially interesting to see what Jurgen Klopp thinks of that performance.

Liverpool were brilliant in the first half, but woeful at the back in the second - a microcosm of their season in one match.

It is already being dubbed 'Sevistanbul', although once the disappointment of throwing away such a healthy lead subsides, Liverpool have still come away with a draw at the home of a good European team and now only need to beat Spartak Moscow at home on the final matchday to top the group.



WE STOPPED PLAYING FOOTBALL

Jurgen Klopp isn't as angry as you might think after watching his side throw away a 3-0 lead which could have secured top spot in the group, but he obviously isn't entirely happy either. The same old problems reared their ugly heads for Liverpool tonight.

"We stopped playing football in the second half. We have one real weapon – playing football – and we didn't do that in the second half before we conceded the second goal," he told BT Sport.
"It was absolutely OK that we were confident after that first half. It's obvious what we did – the real problem is we stopped playing football. Our main mistake was that for 15 minutes we didn't play football, we were passive, we were a little bit too deep. They fought back and well done to them.

"It feel like we lost but we didn't lose. There is a game to go and it's still in our hands but at the moment it feels really bad."



HENDERSON BAFFLED BY LIVERPOOL COLLAPSE

It all looked so rosy for Liverpool at half time - 3-0 up in Seville and on course to qualify as group winners - but right now that will feel like the most gutting of defeats.

Not even captain Jordan Henderson knows how it all fell down around his side, admitting that they could not cope with Sevilla's second-half onslaught.

"I am not sure (how the collapse happened). The first half was very good, disciplined, score good goals. The second half was very bad, we did not start well at all. We gave a corner away and struggled from then on," he told BT Sport.

"We stopped playing football and did not get the ball to the front three to cause them problems. it does not feel good. We did not keep the ball and I did think the free kick and penalty decisions were soft to let them back in the game. We need to be better.

"The message at half time was to keep going and they were going to give it a right go, they had nothing to lose and we could not cope with it. At least it is still in our hands to top the group."

Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson in action during his side's Premier League clash with Newcastle United at St James' Park on October 1, 2017© SilverHub



And on that note, that's where we leave things today after a dramatic night in Seville. Thanks for joining us!

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Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge in action during his side's Premier League clash with Middlesbrough on May 21, 2017
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