Mistakes cost Liverpool as Sevilla hold them to draw

Liverpool were left ruing costly errors as Sevilla spoilt their return to the Champions League by earning a 2-2 draw in a lively Group E opener at Anfield.

Joaquin Correa's smart strike from a quickly taken throw-in 18 minutes from time denied the Reds after first-half goals from Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah cancelled out Wissam Ben Yedder's opener courtesy of a Dejan Lovren howler.

The Merseysiders dominated and should have gone in at the break with a two-goal cushion, but Firmino saw his spot kick come back off the post.

Jurgen Klopp's side struggled to recapture their attacking potency in the second period and their suspect defence again cost them. Joe Gomez then compounded their misery when he was sent off in injury time for a second caution.

Philippe Coutinho did give Klopp a boost as he made his first appearance of the season as a second half substitute following his summer flirtations with Barcelona, but the Reds could not get only their second Champions League campaign in eight seasons off to a flyer.

Liverpool next travel to Spartak Moscow on matchday two on September 26, while Sevilla host NK Maribor with all four teams level on a point apiece.

Liverpool's defensive woes. It was no secret that Klopp made trying to sign Virgil Van Dijk from Southampton one of his priorities in the summer, but after the public embarrassment of having to withdraw his interest it was strange that the Reds boss didn't line up another defender. It's been clear for quite some time Liverpool need defensive reinforcements and their return to Europe's elite competition painfully exposed their flaws at the back.

Sevilla were second best for long spells at Anfield, but still came away with a point thanks to two major lapses in either half. It's an all-too familiar sight for Kopites who know their side don't have the personnel to defend a lead, heaping further pressure on their attacking players to produce the goods.

Alberto Moreno (Liverpool). The left back looks rejuvenated this season and produced one of his best displays in a red shirt. The Spaniard shone against his former club, laying on the equaliser and proving to be a real threat down the flank. He still remains suspect in defence, but he's not alone there.

LIVERPOOL: Karius 6, Gomez 5, Matip 7, Lovren 5, Moreno 8, Wijnaldum 8, Can 6, Henderson 7, Salah 7, Mane 8, Firmino 7. Subs: Coutinho 5, Sturridge n/a, Oxlade-Chamberlain n/a.

SEVILLA: Rico 7; Mercado 6, Kjaer 7, Pareja 6, Escudero 6; N'Zonzi 7, Pizarro 5, Banega 7; Navas 6, Correa 8, Ben Yedder 7. Subs: Sarabia 6, Muriel 6, Corchia n/a.

5' - GOAL! Liverpool 0-1 Sevilla. Lovren misses a low left-wing cross and it's gobbled up by Wissam Ben Yedder inside the six-yard box. Shocking start for the hosts.

21' - GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Sevilla. Firmino pulls the Reds level as he applies a simple tap-in to Moreno's low cross after a slick one-two involving the full back and Henderson.

37' - GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Sevilla. Salah wins possession back off N'Zonzi and fires in a speculative 30-yard strike that takes a big deflection off Simon Kjaer and flies into the net.

42' LIVERPOOL PENALTY MISS! Firmino fires his spot kick against the post after Pareja had hauled down Mane.

72' - GOAL! Liverpool 2-2 Sevilla. Correa takes Muriel's pass on the run and steers a wonderful finish beyond Karius after the hosts were caught out by a quick throw.

90+1' SEVILLA CHANCE! Muriel races onto a high ball over the top and holds off Gomez before firing wide of the near post with just Karius to beat.

90+3' RED CARD! Joe Gomez receives a second yellow as Liverpool's frustration flows over.

Ben Yedder has scored three of the last 10 Sevilla goals in the Champions League.

Firmino is the first Liverpool player to miss a penalty in the Champions League since Steven Gerrard v Marseille (Dec 2007).

Mohamed Salah is the first Egyptian player to score on his Champions League debut for two different sides (Basel & Liverpool).