Liverpool vs. Rubin Kazan: Winners and Losers from Europa League Game
Jurgen Klopp's first home game in charge of Liverpool ended in a disappointing 1-1 draw with 10-man Rubin Kazan in the UEFA Europa League on Thursday night.
The hosts dominated possession and at times successfully implemented Klopp's intense pressing style, but Rubin took a lead against the run of play through Marko Devic in the 15th minute.
A pivotal one-minute spell changed the game for Liverpool late in the opening half. First, captain Oleg Kuzmin saw red for his second bookable offense, a foul on Emre Can. Then, Can converted from close range after Divock Origi knocked down the ensuing free kick.
Liverpool dominated the rest of the match but could not turn their numerical advantage into the winning goal. Instead, the Reds labored to their third straight 1-1 draw in the competition and fell four points behind group leaders FC Sion.
Here, B/R selects winners and losers from the match.
Neither Winner nor Loser: Jurgen Klopp
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Much of the media's attention on this game ahead of kickoff focused on Jurgen Klopp. The German was making his home debut at Anfield after replacing Brendan Rodgers as Liverpool's manager earlier this month.
The club's owners jetted in for the match, per the Daily Mail, and Klopp himself admitted to anticipating a "special atmosphere" when speaking with reporters. The result itself will be a letdown, with Liverpool failing to beat an average (at best) Rubin Kazan side that played most of the match with 10 men. And some of the same failings from Rodgers' tenure resurfaced, with the Reds holding plenty of possession but lacking a cutting edge in the final third.
But it's far too soon to judge Klopp. The former Borussia Dortmund man has been in charge for exactly two games. Give him some time and then reassess.
"Two things we've learned. Klopp knows he's got an average squad & Liverpool's fans have to understand there are no miracles in football," tweeted BBC Sport's Phil McNulty.
"Full time, 1-1 and more evidence for Klopp of just how much work he has in front of him to fix far too many months of rot," added Mirror Football's Jim Boardman.
Drawing with Rubin was not a great way to begin his reign, but Klopp deserves time before the critics make any definitive assessments.
Winner: Marko Devic
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Rubin forward Marko Devic opened the scoring with a fine goal against the run of play in the 15th minute.
The sequence started with right-back Oleg Kuzmin, who lofted a pass high into the Liverpool box. Devic controlled expertly with the top of his shoulder, turned and rifled a powerful drive past Simon Mignolet.
With Rubin reduced to 10 men later in the first half, manager Valeriy Chaly hauled off his striker at halftime for defender Guillermo Cotugno. The visitors' main threat was gone, and it showed throughout the second half. Rubin weren't nearly as dangerous without Devic on the pitch.
Loser: Oleg Kuzmin
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Oleg Kuzmin did well to set up Rubin Kazan's opening goal, but the full-back got himself sent off needlessly for two bookable offenses in the opening 45 minutes.
The first came in the 19th minute, when he drew a yellow card for a late challenge on Alberto Moreno. The second came just 17 minutes later as Kuzmin clattered into Emre Can to stop the latter from escaping down Liverpool's left flank.
The second in particular was a silly foul. Kuzmin had to know that he was carrying a yellow card at that point and that any borderline foul could see him sent off. In addition, he should have known that he didn't have to foul Can in that situation. With his speed, Kuzmin should have been able to recover.
But he committed the foul and got himself sent off. Less than a minute later, Liverpool equalized.
Winner: Emre Can
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Emre Can's goal wasn't particularly memorable, other than for the fact that it was Liverpool's first under Jurgen Klopp. Otherwise, it was a routine tap-in from close range after Divock Origi knocked down Philippe Coutinho's free kick.
But Liverpool fans will have been pleased to see Can back in his normal position, central midfield, rather than at center-back, where he found himself too often under the leadership of Brendan Rodgers. Against Rubin, the German international played with confidence and provided Liverpool with a solid, dependable presence in the middle.
As Jack Lang wrote at the Daily Mirror, it appears Can will be a star under Klopp:
"Here, despite one costly lapse in the run-up to Devic's goal, he was a picture of intent, conducting play from deep and popping up in the area.
It was Can that paved the way for the comeback just before the interval, drawing the foul that saw Rubin skipper Oleg Kuzmin sent off before tapping home Liverpool's equaliser.
Klopp will be delighted that his hi-spec model of modern midfield play is beginning to show his true colours after a difficult few months.
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It's amazing (or not) what a difference it can make for a player to play his real position.
Loser: Liverpool's Recent Record in Europe
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Thursday's draw continued a trend for Liverpool. According to BBC Sport, the Reds are winless in their last eight European matches (Europa League and Champions League combined), drawing five and losing three.
That's a cause for concern, as is this stat, passed along by Opta: In seven games at Anfield this season, Liverpool have kept just one clean sheet.
The problems are there for all to see. Jurgen Klopp has his work cut out for him at Liverpool
