Spartak Moscow v Liverpool: Live matchday blog
Liverpool's second Champions League group game finished level in Moscow. The Reds dominated much of Tuesday's game against Spartak, but couldn't find the all-important second goal after Phil Coutinho had equalised Fernando's opener.
- Post-match reaction: Klopp & Henderson
- Match report
- Photo gallery
Klopp: "We couldn't score [again] because we were unlucky in a few moments, I saw their 'keeper make a few good saves and we made a few wrong decisions."
Klopp in his post-match press conference: "Of course [we're disappointed]...we had four or five 100 per cent chances and that's disappointing.
"But in the Champions League group stage the only aim is to go into the next round. Both games [so far] we should've won...but I saw a lot of positive things tonight."
The Opta stats below tell the story of a frustrating game...
Full Time
And there's the final whistle. Somehow, Liverpool haven't won here in Moscow.
They dominated for the entirety of the game, with Spartak hardly getting out of their own half in the second period, but several chances went begging.
Coutinho got the Reds' goal with a cool finish after Fernando had put Spartak ahead.
Liverpool sit second in Group E, two points behind leaders Sevilla, who defeated Maribor 3-0 in the pool's other game tonight.
Selhikhov stops a header from Salah from point-blank range.
Is that our last chance gone?
Firmino gets in down the left but his cross is played just behind Salah.
Substitution
There's going to be even more injury time, as Samedov goes down and is replaced by Pedro Rocha.
Eight minutes added on.
Come on, Liverpool!
Henderson finds Sturridge in the box but the striker volleys over the bar.
Time's running out...can the Reds find the winning goal that their dominance merits?
Another stoppage after a Spartak player goes down. There's going to be plenty of added time here.
Firmino sends an effort well over the bar after winning the ball back on the edge of the area.
Alexander-Arnold cuts inside onto his left foot and sends a shot narrowly wide from 18 yards.
12 minutes plus stoppage time left to find a winner...
Yellow Card
Firmino is booked for a trip
Substitution
A second sub for the Reds. Wijnaldum replaces Can.
Substitution
Klopp makes his first change and Sturridge is on for Mane.
Substitution
A fairly lengthy delay here and Rebrov is having to be replaced following his earlier collision with Salah.
Spartak's sub 'keeper Selikhov comes on.
Liverpool still in control here, but we're finding it tough to get a clear sight of Rebrov's goal with Spartak content to sit in with plenty of men behind the ball.
Just over 25 minutes remaining.
Close again!
The Reds break away and Mane tries to feed Salah, but Rebrov dives bravely at the No.11's feet and the danger is averted.
Coutinho curls a free-kick goalwards from 25 yards, but Rebrov's equal to it.
The equaliser...
Kick-Off
We're back under way in Moscow.
Peruse the Opta data from that first half below...
Half Time
And there goes the half-time whistle.
It's all square at the break here in Moscow, with Philippe Coutinho equalising Fernando's opener for Spartak.
The Reds were on top pretty much throughout that period, but could only make their dominance count once.
The Reds have spurned a great chance to go into half-time in the lead.
Alexander-Arnold leads a rapid break after a Spartak corner, with the full-back feeding Henderson whose low cross just evades a sliding Mane in the six-yard box.
Celebrations...
Liverpool are bossing the game here and they could be in front.
Henderson whips in a delightful cross from the right, which Firmino can't quite guide home from close range.
The Reds are deservedly level and it's Phil Coutinho who's got the equaliser!
The Brazilian played a neat one-two with Mane and then produced a cool, calm finish past Rebrov from inside the area.
Goal
COUTINHO!!!
Mane links up well with Firmino and then sees a low shot saved by Rebrov.
Good response to going behind from the Reds, this.
Almost an immedaite response from Liverpool.
Mane has the ball in the net with a diving header, but it's disallowed for offside.
Goal
Coutinho is penalised harshly for a tackle on the edge of Liverpool's area, and Fernando steps up and curls home an excellent free-kick.
It's come against the run of play, but Spartak lead.
Close again!
Firmino's powerful header is tipped over the bar by Rebrov as the Reds continue to press for the opener.
More good work by Mane down Liverpool's left sees the Reds win a corner.
Klopp's side are in charge here.
Close!
Lovely, patient build-up from the Reds ends with Alexander-Arnold and Salah playing a one-two before the young full-back drags a shot wide.
Yellow Card
Emre Can picks up an early booking for a mistimed challenge.
It's loud here at the Otkrytiye Arena!
The Reds have settled into the game well and are enjoying most of the early possession.
Liverpool get us under way.
Up the Reds!
The teams have just been read out and the atmosphere is building nicely here at a chilly Otkrytiye Arena.
Just under 10 minutes until kick-off.
This man makes his 100th appearance for Liverpool tonight...
A reminder of tonight's line-ups...
Inside the away dressing room...
The Reds...
CONFIRMED TEAM NEWS
Jürgen Klopp’s made three changes to his starting XI from Saturday’s 3-2 win at Leicester City.
Loris Karius, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Sadio Mane all start for the Reds here at the Otkrytiye Arena.
Liverpool: Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Henderson, Can, Coutinho, Salah, Mane, Firmino.
Subs: Mignolet, Klavan, Flanagan, Milner, Wijnaldum, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sturridge.
There have only been four previous meetings between these clubs, the most recent in the Champions League in October 2002.
That night in Moscow, the Reds fell behind but ultimately triumphed 3-1 thanks to a Michael Owen hat-trick...
Weather
WEATHER UPDATE FROM MOSCOW
So after a pleasant day in the Russia capital, temperatures have dipped dramatically and it's now very, very chilly nine degrees.
Big coat weather, in other words.
Tonight's venue
The Otkrytiye Arena is certainly one impressive venue. Opened in 2014 with a capacity of just over 45,000, it plays host to its first ever Champions League game this evening.
Shouting the odds
Spartak Moscow 21/4
Draw 18/5
Liverpool 8/15
What the boss had to say
Watch Jürgen Klopp preview tonight's fixture in his pre-match press conference below.
Stats all, folks
Roberto Firmino could make his 100th appearance in all competitions for Liverpool tonight.
Get more pre-match facts from club statistician Ged Rea here.
Weather
Meteorological update
Over in Moscow tonight? Expect dry skies and temperatures as low as six degrees by the time the game is completed.
And if you're heading to the boozer in Liverpool, it's only going to get as cold as 14 degrees celsius - so leave your big coat at home!
The oppostion
How well do you know Spartak Moscow?
If the answer is not well at all, then check out our handy video guide to our Russian opponents below.
Alternatively, click here to read the lowdown on Massimo Carrera's team from journalist Manuel Veth.
Meanwhile, in Moscow
The U19s have already faced their Spartak Moscow counterparts today - the two sides meeting in the UEFA Youth League.
Steven Gerrard's men were somewhat unfortunate to fall to a 2-1 defeat. Read the report here.
Team news
We start with a look at how the two sides could line up this evening.
Who's injured? Who's suspended? And who's likely to be left out? Find out here.
And we're off
Hello and welcome to Liverpoolfc.com's live matchday blog for the Reds' second Champions League group game of the season, away to Spartak Moscow.
We'll have the best build-up to the match, including team news, arrival shots, quotes from the key men in the tie and more. Don't go anywhere!