Liverpool stands atop Group B in the UEFA Europa League at the conclusion of pool play.
The Reds clinched first place in Group B by playing FC Sion to a goal-less draw on Thursday in Switzerland. The result gave Liverpool its 10th point — one more than second-placed Sion — from six games in the group stage.
Liverpool will learn its first, and potentially second, opponent in knockout phase on Monday when UEFA conducts the draws for the Rounds of 32 and 16.
What happened?
The teams ran around a lot for 90 minutes, but little else of note happened.
Needing just a draw to ensure first place, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp rested Alberto Moreno, Lucas Leiva and Joe Allen, while Daniel Sturridge and Jordon Ibe missed out due to injury and illness, respectively. Most of those who played for the Reds failed to advance their own cases for increased prominence.
Liverpool out-possessed Sion for the majority of both halves, but its control of the ball amounted to little when it entered Sion’s third of the field. The Reds mustered just two shots on goal. Another four missed their intended target.
Divock Origi came closest to scoring in the opening and closing stages but he was unable to connect with the deliveries of Brad Smith, who was making his full debut.
Sion offered their boisterous fans less, as one the hosts put not one of their seven shots on Simon Mignolet’s goal.
The home fans provided most of the excitement, as they roared in approval whenever the score in the other Group B game, Bordeaux-Rubin Kazan, brought the prospect of Sion’s advancement closer to reality. Bordeaux-Rubin Kazan ended in a 2-2 draw, rendering the Sion-Liverpool result meaningless.
Sion players and fans celebrated its point against Liverpool and progression wildly … because they deserved to.
Why the outcome
Liverpool already had confirmed its place in the Round of 32 before kickoff. Sion only needed a draw to join the Reds. Both teams had limited ambition coming into the game, and they played without much spirit for adventure.
The condition of the field at Sion’s Tourbillon Stadium also was a factor, as the entire right side was more conducive to playing ice hockey.
Liverpool was missing some continuity in the midfield. Emre Can returned from suspension and played 90 minutes as a holding midfielder. James Milner and Jordan Henderson, who was starting for the first time under Klopp, played 61 and 77 minutes without creating anything for their attacking teammates.
Roberto Firmino and Adam Lallana also struggled to link the midfield with the attack when playing out wide or tucking inside. Origi was isolated for most of the game and lacked the right touch in rare moments of danger.
Smith was Liverpool’s biggest creator, serving a few dangerous crosses into Sion’s penalty area. That Smith, a 21-year-old, reserve left back, was the Reds’ chief attacking threat tells you what you need to know about their performance against Sion.
Key moment
We can’t think of one.
Telling statistics
Well, there’s that.
Next up
Liverpool will try to return to winning ways in the Premier League when it hosts West Brom on Sunday at Anfield, followed by the kickoff of the festive period.
Thumbnail photo via Laurent Gillieron/Keystone/The Associated Press
