UCL : Spartak Moscow 1-1 Liverpool

Philippe Coutinho's brilliance was not enough to secure Liverpool's first Champions League win since 2014

Liverpool endured another night of frustration in Moscow as their profligacy in front of goal ensured a second Champions League draw.

The Reds fell behind to a free-kick from Fernando midway through the first half, but were level after the half-hour through Philippe Coutinho.

A Spartak side weakened by injuries suffered further blows in the second half, losing their goalkeeper, but despite creating some fine chances Liverpool could not find the winning goal.

Liverpool had chances to make early inroads in the Russian capital. Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold combined on 12 minutes, the latter dragging a shot wide before Sadio Mane set up Roberto Firmino, whose header was well saved by Artem Rebrov.

Jurgen Klopp's side would regret those misses on 23 minutes, Emre Can giving away possession that eventually led to Coutinho committing a foul 20 yards from his own goal.

Fernando curled the ball over the wall into the net but, on second glance, it was far from the corner of the goal and Loris Karius certainly will be uneasy watching replays.

Liverpool were not behind for long, eight minutes in fact, before Coutinho played a neat one-two with Mane on the edge of the box and finished tidily into Rebrov's net.

In a wide open contest, both chances had further chances to score before half-time, but Liverpool exerted more control after the break.

Just after the hour, the excellent Rebrov in Spartak's goal was forced after an accidental coming together with Salah.

The home side were pushed deeper as the clock wound down, Firmino missing a chance when he fired over from 18-yards but it was sub Sturridge that ought to have won it.

Jordan Henderson dinked a cross over the home defence and the striker elected to volley first time – when he might have taken control of the ball – and saw his shot career over the top.

Six minutes into stoppage time Alexander-Arnold picked out Salah's head eight yards out, but he directed his effort straight down the throat of replacement goalkeeper Alexander Selikhov.