Liverpool have somehow contrived to blow a three-goal lead in Seville. Jurgen Klopp's Reds knew that a win at the Sanchez Pijuan would see them top Group E, and they were in an ideal position to do so with a breathtaking first-half against oddly anemic hosts. The second half was entirely difference, as Sevilla discovered their muscle memory from the 2016 Europa League final, and began attacking Alberto Moreno at left-back.
Moreno showed trademark character in immediately wilting, and before being hooked on the hour mark he was responsible for chucking away two goals. The first, he gave away a foul and was then beaten at the near post for a header, and for the second he was even worse: miscontrolling a simple Coutinho pass, and then hacking down Ben Yedder as he tried to regain control.
Liverpool steadied the ship somewhat with the introduction of James Milner and Emre Can, but Liverpool fans' lingering horror that they were hovering over the self-destruct button persisted. And then, they jammed it: hopelessly failing to defend a corner, with Guido Pizarro hooking home unmarked from the penalty spot.
Here's some of the reaction.
Liverpool have still not won in the Champions League proper (ie, not the play-off round) against half-decent opposition (ie, not Maribor, Ludogorets or Debrecen) since the 4-0 thrashing of Real Madrid in March 2009. 104 months ago.
— Richard Jolly 🇺🇦 (@RichJolly) November 21, 2017
The impression remains that as much, if not more than, a central defender (or two), Liverpool could do with a midfielder who doesn’t solve problems by running at them.
— Rory Smith (@RorySmith) November 21, 2017
Talk about agame of 2 halves!!!cant deny Seville the draw on their 2nd half performance,although you can’t play like we did.Gifted goals again!
— John Aldridge (@Realaldo474) November 21, 2017
Watched the first half of liverpool game. They were winning 3-0. Guess they cruised second half?
— Brian mcfadden (@BrianMcFadden) November 21, 2017
Absolutely pathetic, abysmal, spineless, total joke. Completely devoid of any defensive nous or leadership when things started to go against us. At 1-3 should still be game over.
— Iver Hanrahan (@IverHanrahanGP) November 21, 2017
Bottling a 3-0 lead? Conceding 3 goals from 3 different set pieces (free, pen, corner)?Repeatedly fucking up against Sevilla? Liverpool.
— Gerard Grimes (@GerardGrimes11) November 21, 2017
It’s like Istanbul in reverse. Oh and it’s not a final. https://t.co/Otf3UTSLoY
— Gabby Logan (@GabbyLogan) November 21, 2017
The year is 2053. Jurgen Klopp is still saying the many shit goals his sides concede are "totally crazy...I don't know"
— Thar Barr Superstar🕯 (@WildState) November 21, 2017
Good lord, Liverpool.
— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) November 21, 2017
Spectacular
— Sid Lowe (@sidlowe) November 21, 2017
