Klopp still searches for first win

Liverpool held 1-1 at home by Rubin Kazan in the Europa League

PARIS: Jurgen Klopp’s Anfield bow as Liverpool manager ended in a 1-1 draw against Rubin Kazan in the Europa League on Thursday.

Emre Can cancelled out Marko Devic’s well-taken opener for Russian side Rubin to notch the first goal of the Klopp era, but despite playing against 10 men for 54 minutes following Oleg Kuzmin’s dismissal, Liverpool could not find a winner.

The fit-again Christian Benteke, on as a second-half substitute, hit the post but could not prevent Liverpool registering a third successive 1-1 draw in Group B.

The one consolation was that Liverpool held on to second place ahead of next month’s return fixture in Kazan, although they are now four points behind leaders FC Sion who won 1-0 at Bordeaux.

“When you come for the first time to a new house, you normally get a present,” said Klopp. “I’m not satisfied with my present tonight, but it’s only the first time and I’ll come again. We’ll see next time. Maybe it’s better.”

Meanwhile, Celtic were 2-0 down to Molde inside the first 18 minutes in a game which saw former Manchester United favourite Ole Gunnar Solskjaer take over for a second spell in charge of the Norwegian side.

Kris Commons reduced the deficit in the 55th minute for Celtic but Molde restored their two-goal advantage just a minute later through Elyounoussi.

Fenerbahce recorded their first win in the same Group A thanks to a last minute Fernandao strike against Ajax.

At the Constant Vanden Stock Stadium, Tottenham slipped to a 2-1 defeat against Anderlecht despite Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen giving them the lead after just four minutes.

The hosts were back level before the quarter of an hour when right-back Guillaume Gillet volleyed in  before Stefano Okaka bundled home in the 75th minute.

Klopp’s former team Borussia Dortmund brushed aside Azerbaijan’s FK Qabala 3-1 in Baku with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang grabbing a hat-trick to go top of Group C. 

Published in The Express Tribune, October 24^th, 2015.

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