Liverpool stumbles late as Sevilla scores dramatic equaliser

Liverpool looked destined to book a place in the Champions League group stages until Guido Pizarro's injury-time goal helped Sevilla claim a 3-3 draw Tuesday.

The English side's visiting supporters were treated to a brilliant start when Roberto Firmino's brace and Sadio Mane's clever header saw Liverpool jump out to a 3-0 lead in the opening 30 minutes.

A place in the knockout rounds campaign looked inevitable going into halftime, until Sevilla mounted a second-half comeback against a Liverpool side that hasn't competed in the Round of 16 since the 2008-09 campaign.

Instead of hanging their heads, Sevilla looked intent on stealing the win away from a Liverpool side that gave the impression that the mission was complete.

“We stopped playing football in the second half,” Klopp told reporters, according to James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo.

Wissam Ben Yedder revived Sevilla's hopes of extending Liverpool's drought when his glancing header cut the deficit to 3-1 just minutes after the break. Less than 10 minutes later, Ben Yedder converted a penalty to get his name on the scoresheet again.

Jordan Henderson had a day to forget as he struggled to make an impact in the heart of the field. Whether it was his abysmal passing - only completing 55.7 percent - or his inability to execute a single tackle, Henderson's display just wasn't good enough.

Liverpool's lackadaisical display - as Jurgen Klopp's men desperately tried to hold onto a 3-2 lead - only favoured the host in the closing minutes as waves of attacks brought Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium to life.

A corner-kick in the 93rd minute led to frenzied scenes in the stands when Pizarro's close-range header completed the comeback.

Liverpool will now have to get past Spartak Moscow on Dec. 9 at Anfield to secure a place in the Round of 16, while Sevilla visits Maribor for a chance to progress.