Anzhi Makhachkala moved to the top of Europa League Group A as they leapfrogged Liverpool with a 1-0 win thanks to a lone Lacina Traore goal in freezing temperatures in Moscow on Thursday.
Having beaten Anzhi 1-0 at Anfield two weeks ago, Liverpool surrendered a two-point lead over their Russian rivals and are now a point adrift after four games.
England striker Jermaine Defoe helped himself to three clinically-struck goals and moved Tottenham Hotspur a step closer to the Europa League knockout stages with a 3-1 win over Maribor of Slovenia on Thursday.
With Group J leaders Lazio beating Panathanaikos 3-0 in Rome, Spurs are now two points clear of Maribor in the race for the second qualifying spot. Holders Atletico Madrid came a cropper in Portugal, beaten 2-0 by Academica Coimbra, but with three wins already under their belt, are safely through to the knockout stages.
Liverpool’s under-fire manager Brendan Rodgers said afterwards: ‘I feel for the players, I thought they were outstanding.
‘The first half we were tactically terrific but then switched off and made a mistake right at the end.
Having beaten Anzhi 1-0 at Anfield two weeks ago, Liverpool surrendered a two-point lead over their Russian rivals and are now a point adrift after four games.
England striker Jermaine Defoe helped himself to three clinically-struck goals and moved Tottenham Hotspur a step closer to the Europa League knockout stages with a 3-1 win over Maribor of Slovenia on Thursday.
With Group J leaders Lazio beating Panathanaikos 3-0 in Rome, Spurs are now two points clear of Maribor in the race for the second qualifying spot. Holders Atletico Madrid came a cropper in Portugal, beaten 2-0 by Academica Coimbra, but with three wins already under their belt, are safely through to the knockout stages.
Liverpool’s under-fire manager Brendan Rodgers said afterwards: ‘I feel for the players, I thought they were outstanding.
‘The first half we were tactically terrific but then switched off and made a mistake right at the end.