Liverpool missed out on the chance to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League as they let slip a three-goal lead to draw 3-3 with Sevilla.
Roberto Firmino scored twice – the Brazilian breaking the deadlock inside two minutes – and Sadio Mane also found the net as Jurgen Klopp’s side coasted into 3-0 half-time lead in the battle between the top two in Group E.
However, a second-half meltdown from former Sevilla defender Alberto Moreno left Liverpool clinging on in the closing stages.
Wissam Ben Yedder struck twice after the break, heading home a free-kick before converting a penalty, as Sevilla fought back valiantly against the same opponents they defeated in the 2016 Europa League final.
The visitors looked set to hold firm through to the final whistle until Guido Pizarro popped up with an injury-time equaliser, leaving the group still in the balance with one more round of games to play.
With Maribor grabbing a late equaliser against Spartak Moscow in the early kick-off, Liverpool’s task was clear – win and they would not only be in the knockout stages for the first time since the 2008-09 season but also assured of topping the table.
Their task was meant to be a tough one, considering their opponents had not lost in front of their own fans since a 3-1 reverse against Juventus at the same stage of the competition last year, yet they stunned Sevilla by racing into a 3-0 first-half lead.
They scored two almost-identical goals from left-wing corners delivered by Philippe Coutinho, Firmino on hand at the back post to turn home Georginio Wijnaldum’s flick-on and break the deadlock after just 88 seconds.
The Brazilian was also heavily involved in Liverpool’s second, this time getting his head to Coutinho’s out-swinging delivery to tee up the late-arriving Mane.
Sevilla, who had seen Nolito hit a post and Ben Yedder shoot narrowly wide when the score was still 1-0, were undone by a long ball for Firmino’s second of the game.
Dejan Lovren’s punt out of defence saw Mane burst clear down the left and although Sergio Rico saved his attempt, the grateful Firmino was on hand to tap the rebound into an unguarded net.
At that stage, Liverpool seemed to be coasting. However, the team who played with pace and purpose before the break failed to make a re-appearance for the second half, leading to an uncomfortable conclusion.
The hosts grabbed the early goal they needed to raise hopes of an unlikely recovery, Moreno’s needless foul out wide enabling Ben Yedder to nod in the influential Ever Banega’s right-wing free-kick.
Liverpool’s left-back was also guilty of giving away the spot-kick for Sevilla’s second, compounding his initial error of letting the ball slip through his legs by tripping Ben Yedder, who sent Loris Karius the wrong way twice after his initial attempt was ruled out for encroachment.
Klopp reacted to the onslaught by taking the shell-shocked Moreno out of the firing line, sending on James Milner to play in a position he occupied so regularly last season.
The change appeared to help solidify a shaky defence until Pizarro pounced from a corner, turning home an equaliser that means Liverpool have to wait until they host Spartak to secure a place in the next round.
In other Champions League results:
Raheem Sterling struck a late winner as Manchester City clinched top spot in Champions League Group F after a 1-0 victory over Feyenoord at the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham came from behind to beat Borussia Dortmund 2-1 and make certain of their status as Champions League Group H winners.
Napoli breathed life into their Champions League campaign as a trio of second-half goals sealed a 3-0 home win over Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday.
Cristiano Ronaldo broke the record for Champions League goals in a calendar year as Real Madrid trounced APOEL 6-0 in Nicosia.
Timo Werner struck twice as Monaco self-destructed in the Champions League on Tuesday, going down 4-1 at home to RB Leipzig to be dumped out of Europe early.
A late goal from Jasmin Mesanovic cancelled out Ze Luis’ 82nd-minute effort to secure Maribor a 1-1 draw at Spartak Moscow, leaving the Russians with it all to do in their final Champions League Group E match against Liverpool at Anfield.
Besiktas qualified for the knockout rounds of the Champions League for the first time in the club’s history thanks to an entertaining 1-1 draw at home to Porto on Tuesday.
