Midtjylland 1 – 1 Liverpool

A much-changed Liverpool was limited to a 1-1 draw by Midtjylland in their final Champions League Group D match after VAR denied Takumi Minamino a late winner.

Liverpool had already been confirmed as the group winner and Jurgen Klopp made eight changes, naming the Reds’ youngest starting XI in the competition (24 years 26 days), including a Champions League debut against Leighton Clarkson, 19. years.

But it was one of the veteran players who put them ahead when Mohamed Salah smashed through the legs of goalkeeper Jesper Hansen after 55 seconds, scoring Liverpool’s fastest goal in the Champions League.

But Midtjylland, who already finished last in Group D, pushed for an equalizer, especially after the break, and received the breakthrough when VAR awarded them a penalty. Caoimhin Kelleher was penalized for sending Anders Dreyer with a missing leg and, after a lengthy review, Alexander Scholz (62) drove in the penalty shot.

Klopp released his heavy weapons as the game progressed and Liverpool thought they had scored the winning goal when Minamino came home in the 89th minute, but VAR was there again to rule him out for handball against Sadio Mane in preparation.

How VAR dominated in Denmark

Liverpool started their final game of the season in the Champions League group stage with a bang as Salah scored within a minute. It was a poor pass from Midtjylland that he took advantage of, driving through the midfield with captain Erik Sviatchenko’s stretch unable to stop him. Hansen came out to meet him, but Salah’s timely strike through the goalkeeper’s legs did the job as the ball slowly swung over the line.

Salah was about to make two after receiving a beautiful pass from Minamino, but his shot was blocked by Hansen at the first post with the offside flag also raised. Liverpool was denied again by the goalkeeper shortly after when he parried Diogo Jota’s shot from close range.

Both sides approached shortly after half an hour. Salah squared the ball for Divock Origi, but the forward cut his diagonal shot past the far post, showing just a hint of rust in just his fourth start of the season. Liverpool had never given up to a Danish team in the Champions League before Wednesday and had Fabinho to thank for keeping that record intact in the first half. Sory Kaba nodded with a Dion Cools right cross pass to the back post, but the makeshift defender was there to cut the ball off the line.

It didn’t appear to be Midtjylland’s night when they hit the crossbar early in the second half. A misguided header from half-time substitute Billy Koumetio allowed Evander to hit, but could only rattle the wood. Then Kaba tried his luck with an overhead kick, but it swerved off the post. The forward approached again shortly after, but his header from a high cross from Paulinho also missed.

But a controversy loomed over the VAR, as Midtjylland received a penalty in the 61st minute. Initially, Dreyer was played with a long pass and was sent by a leg dangling from Kelleher as he reached to make the save. The linesman’s flag was initially raised for offside, but the VAR reviewed the incident and found that Dreyer was, in fact, up for grabs.

The next question depended on whether Kelleher had fouled the midfielder and, after the referee consulted the pitch monitor, he awarded a penalty and the Liverpool goalkeeper was booked. Scholz confidently sent Kelleher the penalty for his second Champions League goal of the season.

Despite the introduction of a number of Liverpool stars, it was Midtjylland who seemed most likely to score next. In fact, he did have the ball in the back of the net in the 77th minute, but Scholz’s second of the night was correctly ruled offside after another VAR intervention.

The technology wasn’t made there either, as Minamino was denied a late winner. Mane nodded toward the center of Jordan Henderson, who was scored by the forward, but the linesman raised the flag. The VAR stepped in and eventually disallowed the handball goal against Mane, considering that his header hit his own arm before that of a defender in preparation, as the game ended completely.

Man of the match – Fabinho

Yes, Fabinho only played 45 minutes, but it was his absence in the second half that really showed just how vital he was to a young Liverpool defender.

The Brazilian international was there to perform crucial blocks (1), interceptions and punts (5) during the first half. This was personified when he cleared the line of Kaba’s header. Credit must also go to Rhys Williams at center back, who again looked confident in that position.

Fabinho was replaced by rookie Billy Koumetio in the second half and despite some good opening touches from the 18-year-old, he seemed more nervous as the game continued and Midtjylland’s attack did not stop. In fact, they had 15 shots to five in the second half in the first 45 minutes and Fabinho’s retirement was certainly a big part of that.

With Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez out for much of the season, Fabinho’s performance in the first half and his conspicuous absence after the break demonstrate his enormous importance.

Opta statistics – Midtjylland test Liverpool

• Liverpool have won 13 points in their six Champions League games this season (4 wins, 1 loss, 1 loss); in 2008-09 alone (14) have they won more in a single group stage in the competition.
• FC Midtjylland tried 20 shots against Liverpool; It was the most they have had in a single Champions League game, and the most Liverpool have faced in a group stage match of the competition since November 2014 against Real Madrid (27).
• At 18 years and 25 days, Billy Koumetio became the youngest player in Liverpool’s Champions League tonight, beating Miki Roqué (18y 150d).

Whats Next?

Sunday December 13 4:15 pm

Start 4:30 pm

Liverpool will know who their round of 16 opponents are when the draw takes place on December 14. Before that, they will travel to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday, live on Sky Sports; start at 4.30 pm.