MX23RW : Sunday, December 22 14:30:47| >> :120:16508:16508:
[monks data]
Sion
Europa League | Group Stage
Dec 10, 2015 at 6pm UK
 
Liverpool logo

0-0

FT

Liverpool draw to seal Group B top spot

Liverpool win Europa League Group B despite failing to break down Sion in a dull 0-0 draw in Switzerland.

Liverpool have finished top of Europa League Group B despite struggling to break down a resilient Sion in a dull encounter which has also seen the Swiss side progress.

A tight opening characterised by solid defence on both sides saw a Roberto Firmino shot from distance as the only notable effort inside the first 20 minutes, before Carlitos could only slice over after good work on the edge of the box for the hosts.

Liverpool's Australian defender Brad Smith (L) and Sion's Portugese midfielder Carlitos vie for the ball during the UEFA Europa League group B football match between FC Sion and FC Liverpool at the Tourbillon stadium in Sion on December 10, 2015© Getty Images

Firmino shot straight at the goalkeeper as Jurgen Klopp's side attempted to exert some control on the game, and Divock Origi came close to adding to his hat-trick against Southampton last week when his shot flew narrowly wide.

The game opened up as the first half wore on, and Reto Ziegler's volley from distance came close for Sion before Adam Lallana should have done better from 18 yards after he did well to make space for himself on the edge of the penalty area.

Liverpool ended the first half on the front foot and they began the second period in the same way, but James Milner inadvertently prevented an unmarked Firmino from meeting Origi's cross at the far post as they continued to struggle for a killer final touch.

Sion's Swiss defender Leo Lacroix (L) and Liverpool's English midfielder Adam Lallana vie for the ball during the UEFA Europa League group B football match between FC Sion and FC Liverpool at the Tourbillon stadium in Sion on December 10, 2015© Getty Images

Sion knew that a draw would send them into the last 32 and their defence stood resolute as they allowed the Reds to dictate the tempo of the second 45.

The best opportunity of the latter stages of the match fell to Liverpool, but they were denied by Andris Vanins as the goalkeeper did well to deny Origi after substitute Philippe Coutinho had flicked Emre Can's ball through to the striker.

The match fizzled out with barely another sniff of goal as Sion settled for the single point which saw them progress to the knockout stages, while Liverpool completed an unbeaten group-stage campaign to top the group.

ID:261542: cacheID:261542:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5173:
Written by
Tom Nightingale
No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Roberto Firmino of Liverpool rues a missed opportunity during the Barclays Premier League match between Liverpool and West Ham United at Anfield on August 29, 2015
Read Next:
Aldridge slams Firmino's poor display
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Lions
@
Bears
6pm
Browns
@
Bengals
6pm
Patriots
@
Bills
6pm
Titans
@
Colts
6pm
Giants
@
Falcons
6pm
Rams
@
Jets
6pm
Cardinals
@
Panthers
6pm
Eagles
@
Washington
9.05pm
Vikings
@
Seahawks
9.25pm
49ers
@
Dolphins
9.25pm
Jags
@
Raiders
Tables header RHS

League Phase

TeamPWDLPTS
1AZ00000
2Ajax00000
3Anderlecht00000
4Athletic Bilbao00000
5Besiktas00000
6Bodo/Glimt00000
7Braga00000
8Dynamo Kiev00000
9Frankfurt00000
10Elfsborg00000
11Midtjylland00000
12FC Twente00000
13FCSB00000
14Fenerbahce00000
15Ferencvaros00000
16Galatasaray00000
17Hoffenheim00000
18Lazio00000
19Ludogorets00000
20Lyon00000
21M. Tel Aviv00000
22Malmo00000
23Man Utd00000
24Nice00000
25Olympiacos00000
26PAOK00000
27Porto00000
28Qarabag00000
29Rangers00000
30Real Sociedad00000
31RFS00000
32Roma00000
33Slavia Prague00000
34Spurs00000
35Union SG00000
36Plzen00000


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!