A much changed Liverpool XI fall to the club’s first defeat in the Europa League this season having been edged in a five goal thriller in France as it finished 3-2 to the host inside the Toulouse Stadium.
Jurgen Klopp made series of changes to the starting XI in Luton on Sunday, with Caoimhin Kelleher replacing Alisson Becker in goal while only Joe Gomez, who started in left-back in the one all draw was the only member of the defence to feature.
Kostas Tsmikas, Joel Matip and Jarrel Quansah made up the other three member of the four man defense. Alexis Mac Allister kept his place in the midfield in the company of Wataru Endo and Harvey Elliot.
A completely new look attack comprised the trio of Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and 17-year-old Scottish sensation Ben Doak, who made his second start in the competition having started in the 3-1 win away to LASK.
Despite Liverpool enjoying a fair share of the possession earlier on, it was the host who drew the first blood six minutes after the half-hour mark as Norwegian midfielder Aron Donnum robbed Tsmikas off possession before moving into the box and beating Kelleher for 1-0.
Thijs Dallinga, who had a goal ruled out at the start of the second half made it 2-0 to the host two minutes before the hour mark.
Once again Liverpool surrendered possession cheaply around their own area as Diaz gave the ball away. Sierro picked it up and send a cross into the box to find Dallinga. The striker took it in his stride and powered his shot past Kelleher for a second time, and this he was able to double his side’s advantage.
Liverpool halved the deficit 15 minutes from time as a long ball from Trent Alexander Arnold into the area was met by the head of captain on the night Joe Gomez, who headed across goal but diverted into the back of the net via the shoulder of Cristian Casseres.
Toulouse responded almost immediately with their third goal of the game, scored by substitute Frank Magri following a moment of loss of concentration by the Liverpool defence.
Mohamed Salah, Dominik Szoboszlai Darwin Nunez and Diogo Jota were all introduced by Klopp but only Jota was able to score one more to make it 3-2 but a minute before the end of normal time.
Jarrel Quansah thought he has rescued a point for the Reds with his first senior goal after heading home in the 98th minute but the goal was ruled out after a VAR review showed Mac Allister had handled the ball in the build up.
Toulouse earned a win that took them to seven points while Liverpool maintains top spot having won all three previous games.
A home win against LASK in the next international break will be enough for them to progress into the knockout round while a draw could also be enough depending on result in the other group game between Union St.Gilloise and Toulouse.
Now without a win in their last two games having won all previous four, Liverpool return to League action this weekend as they play host to Brentford before the international break.
Hassan Afolabi
