Using a second-string lineup, Liverpool ended their seven-game unbeaten streak by losing 2-3 to Toulouse in Group E of the Europa League.
The drama unfolded in the seventh minute of injury time in the second half, in the final seconds, when defender Jarell Quansah scored from a scrappy situation inside the penalty area to equalize 3-3. Bulgarian referee Georgi Kabakov initially awarded the goal by pointing to the spot where the ball crossed the line, but VAR Dragomir Draganov called him to review the situation of midfielder Alexis Mac Allister’s handball.
The slow-motion replay revealed that after the Argentine midfielder chested the ball, it bounced onto his arm. Kabakov decided to disallow Quansah’s goal, meaning Toulouse preserved their victory.
Liverpool’s defeat was not entirely surprising, as Jurgen Klopp fielded a second-string lineup, although key players like Allister and Luis Diaz were included. Defender Joe Gomez was given the captain’s armband and almost scored his first goal in 119 appearances for Liverpool. In the fourth minute, forward Cody Gakpo delivered a cross from a left-sided free-kick, and Gomez’s header hit the near post and rebounded out.
However, besides this opportunity, Liverpool did not create many significant chances in the first half. They even conceded after defender Kostas Tsimikas lost the ball, allowing Aron Donnum to steal and dribble into the Toulouse penalty area from the right. The Norwegian international’s shot deflected off defender Jarell Quansah’s leg and changed direction into the top corner near the near post, leaving goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher with no chance to react.
Former Liverpool midfielder Joe Cole believed Toulouse deserved to lead after the first half. The home team even created two dangerous opportunities early in the second half but failed to hit the target.
Manager Klopp introduced Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dominik Szoboszlai at the start of the second half, but before they could make a difference, Toulouse scored another goal. This time, they made a mistake on the left wing, with Diaz losing the ball under pressure from three home players. Midfielder Vincent Sierro received the ball and crossed into the penalty area for forward Thijs Dallinga to shoot low into the far corner, leaving goalkeeper Kelleher rooted to the spot.
Liverpool pulled one back from a comical and unexpected situation. Alexander-Arnold delivered a ball into the left side of the penalty area for Gomez to head towards the far post. The goalkeeper and home defenders rushed towards it, but the ball struck midfielder Cristian Casseres Jr.’s shoulder and went into the net as he turned away from his teammates.
However, it took Toulouse only three minutes to re-establish a two-goal lead, with forward Gabriel Suazo delivering a cross to the far post for Frank Magri to run in unmarked and guide the ball into the net. The players and coaching staff celebrated this goal, and the Toulouse fans even illuminated their phones to create a light effect. They may have believed this goal was enough to secure the victory, but they almost dropped points.
The visitors’ efforts only helped them score one more goal when Diogo Jota dribbled through the middle into the penalty area, bypassed two defenders, and shot low with his left foot into the far corner. The narrow defeat prevented Liverpool from securing advancement early, but they still topped Group E.
Toulouse recently won a major title in their history, the French Cup in 2023, earning them a spot in this season’s Europa League. They have striker Yanis Begraoui, a former teammate of Nguyễn Quang Hải at Pau FC. According to Opta, Toulouse is ranked 136th in the world, lower than 20 Premier League teams. In Ligue 1, they currently stand in 14th place out of 18 teams.
Starting Lineups:
Toulouse: Restes, Desler, Costa, Nicolaisen, Diarra, Suazo, Schmidt, Sierro, Casseres Jr, Donnum, Dallinga.
Liverpool: Kelleher, Gomez, Matip, Quansah, Tsimikas, Elliott, Mac Allister, Endo, Doak, Gakpo, Diaz.
