Liverpool supporters have seen a pattern in recent weeks, and it’s not one that they want to get used to.The Reds dominated Sevilla in the Champions League two weeks ago yet could only manage a draw and it was a similar story against Spartak Moscow last night.Liverpool had 16 shots compared to their opponent’s four but left Russia with just a point following a 1-1 draw.Incredibly, Jurgen Klopp’s side has scored six goals from their last 121 shots.So while much is made about their leaky defence, it’s clear that some work at the other end of the pitch is also required.Liverpool missed the chance to go 2-1 up when they squandered a 4-on-2 situation on the stroke of half-time and one of the players involved in the move, Jordan Henderson, said they need to be “more ruthless”.“We controlled the game from start to finish, so should win the game comfortably,” the midfielder said, per Liverpool’s website.
“We’re disappointed. The chances we had, we’ve got to win the game comfortably there.
“I thought we defended well for the majority of the game and created chances – but we’ve just got to finish teams off and be more ruthless.”
Coutinho was class
One player who won’t be overly disappointed with his showing is Philippe Coutinho, who scored the equaliser and continuously attempted to unlock Spartak’s defence.
The Brazilian playmaker, the subject of three bids from Barcelona in the summer, showed just why it was so important for Liverpool to keep onto him with a classy display.
Check out his individual highlights below.
Coutinho’s performance drew praise from former Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard, who said he at the centre of everything going forwards for Liverpool.
“He had a brilliant game,” Lampard told BT Sport, per Metro.
“Sometimes he plays a different game to everybody else.
“His passing and awareness to play the right ball for the right run. He was at the hub of all the great chances we’ve talked about but at the end of the day you need people there to finish them.”
Coutinho submitted a transfer request in the summer but Liverpool simply refused to sell.
But it will be more difficult to keep the 25-year-old at Anfield should the Reds fail to show major signs of progress this season.