Player Ratings as Liverpool Denied Last-Minute Equalizer in Toulouse 3-2 Defeat

Liverpool missed the chance to secure early progression to the Europa League knockout rounds after suffering their first defeat of the competition this season in dramatic circumstances at the hands of Toulouse on Thursday night.

It wasn’t without controversy though as young defender Jarell Quansah thought he had rescued a 3-3 draw with a 98th minute equaliser, only to see it ruled out amid confusion after VAR spotted a handball in the build-up.

The Reds had been 5-1 winners in the reverse fixture at Anfield on matchday three last month, but a lacklustre opening was followed by Toulouse goals from Aron Donnum and Thijs Dallinga either side of half-time. A Cristian Casseres own goal brought Liverpool back into the game, only to fall 3-1 behind almost immediately when substitute Frank Magri found the net.

Liverpool sub Diogo Jota did pull another back in the closing moments, but anything other than defeat would have flattered Jurgen Klopp’s side, who will now reset.

Liverpool started by immediately controlling the early tempo of the game and a set-piece almost brought a quick goal for stand-in skipper Joe Gomez, who has never scored in his senior career. He won’t go much closer without, flicking on a header that glanced off the crossbar.

Toulouse were happy to sit back absorb pressure, but it meant the home crowd was extremely flat. It also didn’t help that Liverpool weren’t particularly vibrant themselves, limited to no more than blocked shots and half chances. Luis Diaz did put one on target from distance that did little to trouble Guillaume Restes in the home side’s goal.

The hosts, 14th in Ligue 1, hadn’t done much of note at all until the latter end of the half. There was a warning sign that geed the crowd when a stretching Gabriel Suazo was only inches away from proper contact with a lovely ball into the box. Donnum made no mistake with his finish 36 minutes in.

Jurgen Klopp wasn’t messing about with his team trailing at half-time, calling for the big guns from the bench – Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dominik Szoboszlai. But Toulouse were the brighter of the sides when the game resumed and deservingly got the next goal as well.

It was cohesive pressing high up the pitch that made it happen, crowding out Luis Diaz near the touchline in Liverpool’s half. From there, Vincent Sierro delivered the cross into the box and Dallinga, scorer at Anfield on matchday three, took it in his stride and finished clinically.

Toulouse had the ball in the net again shortly after the hour mark, a ruthless move finished by Donnum, but it was ruled out for an offside in the build-up.

Liverpool were struggling to create the necessary quality to trouble Toulouse and the own goal gave them a brief lifeline they probably hadn’t earned. It was a hopeful cross into the box than anything and Casseres bizarrely turned his back on the ball rather than deal with the situation – it hit his shoulder and dropped into the net, much to the disbelief of everyone inside the stadium.

But barely had the game restarted and Toulouse were two goals ahead once more. It was weak defending from Liverpool, with Suazo’s initial ball across the box parried by Caoimhin Kelleher and Magri following in at the far post after Dallinga had missed it in the middle.

Jota’s late strike set up a grandstand finish. Alexis Mac Allister had been poor for most of the night until a bit of tenacity saw him wriggle free of pressure to send his teammate into space. Jota did the rest, driving into the box and finishing well. Liverpool were furious when Quansah’s would be equaliser at the death was chalked off, but Mac Allister had seemingly chested the ball onto his arm earlier in the move that was enough to see the eventual goal disallowed.