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10-man Rubin Kazan spoil Klopp's Anfield debut with 1-1 draw

Liverpool was denied a first home victory

Liverpool: Liverpool was denied a first home victory under new manager Juergen Klopp after they were limited by 10-man Rubin Kazan to 1-1 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Elsewhere, Italian league leader Fiorentina lost 2-1 at home to Lech Poznan, and Lazio strengthened its hold at the top of Group G following a 3-1 win over Rosenborg.

It was a frustrating night for Klopp, who saw his side fall behind early to striker Marko Devic's impressive half-volley. However, the Russian side lost captain Oleg Kuzmin to a second yellow card in the 36th minute, and within seconds Emre Can equalized.

Despite the man advantage, wayward passes and poor finishing meant Liverpool had to settle for its third successive draw in Group B.

Second-half goals from Dawid Kownacki and Maciej Gajos secured victory for Lech Poznan, leaving Fiorentina bottom of Group I.

Striker Giuseppe Rossi scored a last-minute consolation for the Viola, whose midfielder Ante Rebic was sent off in second-half stoppage time.

Lazio's win was all the more impressive after defender Mauricio's red-card dismissal in the sixth minute. Even a man down, goals from Alessandro Matri, Felipe Anderson and Antonio Candreva moved the Italian side three points clear at the top of its group.

Saint-Etienne moved up to second behind the Rome-based club after a surprise 1-0 away win over Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk. Romain Hamouma scored shortly before the interval as the French side secured its first win of the group stage against last season's runner-up.

In Group K, substitute Leroy Sane salvaged a 2-2 draw for Schalke at home to Sparta Prague. His strike canceled out another replacement, David Lafata's effort, which gave the Czech side a second-half lead shortly after his introduction.

Anderlecht came from behind to beat Tottenham 2-1 in Group J. Christian Eriksen gave the English Premier League side a fourth-minute lead, then Guillaume Gillet leveled with a well-taken volley. Stefano Okaka - on loan from Fulham - won it for the Belgian side with 15 minutes remaining.

In Group E, Villarreal thrashed Dinamo Minsk 4-0 with Cedric Bakambu's scoring a first-half brace, and Roberto Soldado and Eric Bailly were on target for the Spanish club after the restart.

Portugal midfielder Alan scored the winner two minutes from time as Sporting Braga beat Marseille 3-2 in Group F.

The French side looked to have secured a point after late goals from Romain Alessandrini and Michy Batshuayi leveled matters. However, Alan's strike opened up a five-point lead for the Portuguese club.

In Group A, leader Molde beat Celtic 3-1 with Ola Kamara, Vegard Forren and Mohamed Elyounoussi scoring to open up a three-point lead for the Norwegian champions at the top of the table.

Striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang scored a hat trick as Borussia Dortmund beat Qabala 3-1 to consolidate top spot in Group C.

( Source : AP )
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