Toulouse 3-2 Liverpool - Late VAR drama as Reds denied stoppage-time equaliser in shock defeat in UEFA Europa League
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 09/11/2023 at 23:11 GMT
It ended up proving to be a pretty disastrous evening for Liverpool as they took on Toulouse in their UEFA Europa League encounter at Stadium de Toulouse on Thursday evening. Jurgen Klopp's side never managed to assert their dominance in the match as the hosts rose to the occasion with three goals and an inspired performance in front of their jubilant supporters.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool looks dejected after the team conceded their second goal during the UEFA Europa League 2023/24 match between Toulouse FC and Liverpool FC at Stadium de Toulouse on November 09, 2023 in Toulouse, France.
Image credit: Getty Images
Liverpool suffered just their second defeat of the season in Toulouse, dramatically losing 3-2 after a stoppage-time equaliser was overturned by a VAR review.
Toulouse were in the French second tier just two seasons ago, and two weeks ago were thrashed 5-1 at Anfield, yet led when a terrible Kostas Tsimikas error put Aron Donnum through on goal.
Thijs Dallinga doubled the lead with a fine finish as Toulouse started the second half brilliantly, and even a bizarre own goal did not seem to halt their momentum as substitute Frank Magri scored two minutes later to make it 3-1.
Diogo Jota pulled an 89th-minute goal back for Liverpool to set up a nervy finish, and they thought they had levelled the score when Jarell Quansah scored what would have been his maiden Reds goal at the end of a goalmouth scramble in the seventh added minute.
Yet a belated VAR review ruled it out three minutes and two Toulouse yellow cards later, with an Alexis Mac Allister handball spotted in the extended build-up.
Liverpool are still top of UEFA Europa League Group E, on nine points, but Toulouse are just two behind in second place and have a three-point cushion over third-placed Union Saint-Gilloise, who lost to LASK.
Talking point - Tsimikas error proves costly
With Andy Robertson injured, Tsimikas is getting a prolonged run in the Liverpool team, and perhaps showing why he plays so sparingly when the Scotland international is fit.
Tsimikas was badly at fault for the all-important first Toulouse goal, getting caught in possession when there appeared little pressure and surrendering a great chance out of nowhere. Tsmikas was also not great in an attacking capacity. That he was hooked at half-time tells you all you need to know about what Jurgen Klopp thought of the performance.
Joe Gomez moved to left-back, a position he also played versus Luton Town last week. He's more trusted out of position than Tsimikas right now, suggesting the Greek's days at Anfield are numbered.
Player of the match - Thijs Dallinga (Toulouse)
The Dutchman took his goal brilliantly - having earlier had another nice strike disallowed - and was an all-round nightmare for Liverpool's defenders to deal with. Mixed physicality with clever movement and a good finish when required.
Player ratings
Toulouse: Restes 6, Desler 6, Costa 7, Nicolaisen 6, Diarra 6, Sierro 6, Schmidt 7, Casseres 5, Donnum 6, Dallinga 8, Suazo 5. Subs: Magri 7, Kamanzi 5, Cesar 5.
Liverpool: Kelleher 5, Gomez 6, Matip 5, Quansah 6, Tsimikas 3, Mac Allister 5, Endo 4, Elliott, 5 Doak 5, Diaz 6, Gakpo 6. Subs: Salah 5, Szoboszlai 6, Alexander-Arnold 5, Nunez 5, Jota 7.
Match highlights
OFF THE BAR! 4' - From a free kick on the Liverpool left, Gakpo's cross is flicked on by Gomez and onto the bar. Restes is completely bamboozled, but saved by the woodwork.
GOAL! TOULOUSE 1-0 LIVERPOOL (DONNUM) 36' - Tsimikas is caught in possession by Donnum, who drives forward into the box and shoots left-footed. It's not a well-struck effort, but deflects off Quansah and over Kelleher, giving Toulouse the lead.
GOAL! TOULOUSE 2-0 LIVERPOOL (DALLINGA) 58' - Dallinga sneaks between Quansah and Matip, is picked out by Sierro's cross and the Dutchman controls well before firing in off the post.
GOAL! TOULOUSE 2-1 LIVERPOOL (CASSERES OG) 74' - Gomez hopefully heads a cross back across goal, two Toulouse players go for it with Salah steering clear, yet the ball hits Casseres and goes in. A bizarre goal.
GOAL! TOULOUSE 3-1 LIVERPOOL (MAGRI) 76' - Kelleher can only parry a cross into Magri's path and the substitute slams home from a tight angle.
GOAL! TOULOUSE 3-2 LIVERPOOL (JOTA) 89' - Jota drives past several Toulouse defenders, enters the box and powers a left-footed shot into the corner. Restes remained rooted and the deficit is now just one goal.
NO GOAL! 90+10' - Liverpool think Quansah has equalised at the end of a goalmouth scramble, but a belated VAR review rules the goal out and preserves Toulouse's lead!
Key stats
- Liverpool are winless in their last five away games versus French opposition.
- This is Toulouse's first-ever competitive victory against an English team.
- Jota's 48th Liverpool goal is his first in a game the club have lost.
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article