Bordeaux vs. Liverpool: Score and Reaction from 2015 Europa League

Liverpool gave up a lead late in their first UEFA Europa League match of the 2015-16 campaign, playing out a 1-1 draw against Ligue 1 side Bordeaux on Thursday.

Adam Lallana had given the visitors the lead with a fancy piece of skill, but some poor defending allowed Jussie to equalise in the final 10 minutes. 

Neither side really managed to take control of the match, and the draw was a fair result. With Bordeaux seen as Liverpool's main competition for the top spot in Group B, the Reds should be satisfied with the point.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers decided to rest a number of key players, opting to go with a three-man back line and playing Jordon Ibe and Alberto Moreno as wing-backs. Divock Origi and Kolo Toure were handed a start, and youngster Jordan Rossiter made his European debut, per the club's official Twitter account:

The Reds' Twitter account also confirmed goalkeeper Simon Mignolet would be playing for the club for the 100th time.

As shared by the Times' Tony Barrett, the brand new Nouveau Stade de Bordeaux hardly filled up for this Europa League clash:

Both teams had an edgy start to the match, and chances were few in the opening stages. Origi did well to find Philippe Coutinho with a clever flick, but the Brazil international fired the first shot of the match wide of the post.

Diego Rolan should have scored when the hosts found far too much space on the counter attack, but the 22-year-old forward couldn't keep his composure and skied his ball over the goal of the onrushing Mingolet.

Wahbi Khazri also had the opportunity to open the scoring, but his effort curled just wide of the post. Liverpool seemed to have the better of play, but Bordeaux were far more dangerous in the early stages, exposing the Reds' weakness against counter attacks and balls over the top.

Rodgers' defence took another blow when Toure was forced to leave the pitch with an injury after just 27 minutes. Bet365 summarised his night:

Pedro Chirivella moved into midfield, with Emre Can taking up a position in defence, and the Germany youngster added an element of pace to the back line that was sorely needed. Bordeaux's dangerous counters became less frequent, and the Reds started finding some open looks of their own.

A handful of crosses failed to find the target, and Lallana found himself in a promising shooting position but failed to get his shot off in time. On the other side of the pitch, Khazri drew a routine save from Mignolet after some dreadful defending from the Reds.

Play heated up toward the end of the first half, and Coutinho nearly broke the deadlock with a phenomenal strike from distance. From 20 yards out, the Brazilian turned and unleashed a thundering shot on goal, but unfortunately for Liverpool, he could only find the post.

As shared by French Football Weekly, he was easily Liverpool's most dangerous man in the first half:

After a great finish to the first half, the second half started at a slow pace. Chances were few, and the only time either team seemed to draw close to their opponents' goal was with set pieces.

Barrett noticed Liverpool's young midfielders started making an impression, however:

It took 15 minutes for the first real chance to arrive, with Lallana producing a nice piece of skill before firing at the 'keeper.

Bordeaux immediately responded, with Henri Saivet powering a header into the side netting, and by some miracle, they didn't score minutes later. Mignolet did well to stop Nicolas Maurice-Belay's effort, but Enzo Crivelli had to score the rebound, instead pushing the ball wide.

The hosts were punished for their miss immediately afterward, with Lallana cutting inside beautifully before calmly slotting the ball past goalkeeper Cedric Carrasso. Reds legend Jamie Carragher was impressed:

Substitute Danny Ings nearly made it 2-0 just minutes later, freeing himself in the box before drawing a nice save from Carrasso. 

Bordeaux couldn't really mount a late offensive as they searched for an equaliser, although Can had to intervene to block a dangerous cross out of play. But just as it looked as if the Reds would cruise to a win, Jussie took advantage of some lax defending inside the box to draw the hosts level.

Crivelli was actually allowed to juggle the ball inside the box before the goal, which gave Jussie the space to score, per Goal USA:

Moreno tried his luck from distance but couldn't trouble Carrasso, and a final push from Bordeaux didn't lead to any more goals.

The Reds and Bordeaux now share second place in Group B following Sion's 2-1 win over Rubin Kazan, and with the Swiss minnows traveling to Anfield on Matchday 2, Liverpool should like their chances of grabbing the top spot with an emphatic win.

Bordeaux face a difficult trip to Russia on Matchday 2, but judging by their performance on Thursday, they should be able to get a result against Rubin Kazan.

Post-Match Reaction

As reported by the Daily Telegraph's Chris Bascombe, Rodgers reserved high praise for the youngsters, saying:  "I am so proud of the youngsters. I will always give youngsters a chance – do you let them out on loan or put them under that pressure. Jordan and Pedro did better as the game went on."

Follow @ReverschPass