Coutinho scores as Reds held in Moscow

AFP, MOSCOW: A sparkling Philippe Coutinho goal was not enough to earn Liverpool victory as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Coutinho cancelled out Fernando's free-kick in the 31st minute, but Liverpool's quest for a winner came to nothing, leaving them still without a win after two games in Group E.

Liverpool have now gone seven matches without victory in the Champions League -- their longest such run in the competition -- and trail group leaders Sevilla by two points.

“In this moment we're not the most lucky team in world football. Things don't go easy for us,” said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

“We did well to create chances against a very defence-oriented team. We didn't give away many chances for them. The free-kick for their goal was not a foul.

“In the Champions League group stage, the only target is to go through to the next round. That's now possible for us. There were a lot of good things tonight.”

Five-time champions Liverpool paid the price for some wasteful finishing, substitute Daniel Sturridge and Mohamed Salah both spurning good chances to secure victory in the closing stages.

On the plus side, Klopp's men looked more solid defensively than in recent weeks, but Fernando's goal raised questions about the decision to bring goalkeeper Loris Karius into the team in place of Simon Mignolet.

While Russian champions Spartak have gone nine games without victory in the Champions League, this was a result to warm the hearts of their vocal fans on a chilly night at Otkrytiye Arena.

Coutinho scores as Reds held in Moscow

AFP, MOSCOW: A sparkling Philippe Coutinho goal was not enough to earn Liverpool victory as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Spartak Moscow in the Champions League on Tuesday. Coutinho cancelled out Fernandos free-kick in the 31st minute, but Liverpools quest for a winner came to nothing, leaving them still without a win after two games in Group E. Liverpool have now gone seven matches without victory in the Champions League -- their longest such run in the competition -- and trail group leaders Sevilla by two points. In this moment were not the most lucky team in world football. Things dont go easy for us, said Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. We did well to create chances against a very defence-oriented team. We didnt give away many chances for them. The free-kick for their goal was not a foul. In the Champions League group stage, the only target is to go through to the next round. Thats now possible for us. There were a lot of good things tonight. Five-time champions Liverpool paid the price for some wasteful finishing, substitute Daniel Sturridge and Mohamed Salah both spurning good chances to secure victory in the closing stages. On the plus side, Klopps men looked more solid defensively than in recent weeks, but Fernandos goal raised questions about the decision to bring goalkeeper Loris Karius into the team in place of Simon Mignolet. While Russian champions Spartak have gone nine games without victory in the Champions League, this was a result to warm the hearts of their vocal fans on a chilly night at Otkrytiye Arena.