Liverpool 1 Rubin Kazan 1
Jurgen Klopp's first game in charge at Anfield finished in a 1-1 draw as Liverpool experienced more frustration in the Europa League. It was the Reds' third draw in the competition, leaving them on three points, four behind group leaders FC Sion.
The result was all the more disappointing for the Kop, who had come to Anfield in their droves to welcome Klopp to Merseyside after his appointment earlier in the month, because the Russian side played an hour with just ten men after the dismissal of captain Oleg Kuzmin. "OK, it was not a masterclass," admitted Klopp. "But come on, it was not boring either. It was not the worst day in my life."
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Klopp, sporting a natty duffle coat in the dugout, must have begun to fear the worst when Marko Devic put the visitors in front on 15 minutes with a brilliant volley. But things turned in Liverpool's favour when Kuzmin was sent off for a second yellow card, and the Reds were gifted a passage back into the game.
The Reds' equalizer came almost immediately after the red card courtesy of Emre Can, but they could not find a winner even though substitute Christian Benteke hit the post with a late effort.
It was not the most assertive displays from Liverpool against a side who lie in the 12th in their domestic league, and Klopp appeared to appreciate the size of his task at Anfield in replying to a question about his welcome from the fans. "I received a very warm welcome before the kick-off," he said. "In fact that turned out to be one of the best moments of the night."
Klopp will likely need to retain his sense of humour in the coming weeks and months as he tries to rebuild a Liverpool side that has been in steady decline for more than a season. One former Red, Steve McManaman, now a pundit on BT Sport, told the broadcaster Klopp will be a "miracle worker" if Liverpool finish in the top four of the Premier League in May.
"It's been a very frustrating night all round," he said when asked about the 1-1 draw. "It was a really lacklustre performance… they certainly have to step up to the mark because at this moment in time if he can get them anywhere near the top four he will be a miracle worker, he really will be."
