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| Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool drew 1-1 against 10-man Rubin Kazan on a disappointing night at Anfield |
HIS FACE adorned the front cover of a matchday programme styled upon Barack Obama's iconic 'Hope' presidential poster.
The Kop, a buoyant, seething mass, came with flags bearing his name and the DJ played songs entitled "Heroes" and "Winds of Change." Jurgen Klopp has found himself portrayed as more messiah than manager since arriving on Merseyside, but when a football match belatedly broke out a sense of reality returned.
Rubin Kazan were not supposed to puncture the bubble of optimism that has built around Klopp's Anfield coronation, especially after being reduced to 10-men after 36 minutes, but that they did so simply confirmed the job ahead.
The first goal of the German's tenure was supplied by his fellow countryman, Emre Can, but that that scrambled effort did not lead to more and only eked out a third successive point in what is proving a tortuous Europa League campaign proceeded to flatten the atmosphere somewhat.
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| Marko Devic converting his shot past Simon Mignolet and into the net to give Rubin Kazan the lead |
This was Russia's 12th best team, not Real Madrid who had swaggered to victory here in the Champions League 12-months ago.
For Klopp, who will regard Anfield as ostensibly a place of work, not worship, the evening was no doubt revealing even if ultimately engulfed in frustration.
He had wanted to "see, feel and smell" this famous arena for the first time as Liverpool manager. While he found it alive with anticipation and expectation once again, he will know that forging a team to do the supporters justice will be no easy feat.
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| Oleg Kuzim was sent-off for a second bookable offence for a challenge on Emre Can |
There was polite applause at the end for the effort the hosts expended, but it is about more than that. Kazan took the lead inside a quarter-of-an-hour when Can mis-timed his press on Oleg Kuzmin, allowing the right-back to cut inside him and clip a perfectly lofted pass to Marko Devic.
He brilliantly controlled the ball on his left shoulder, Nathaniel Clyne was caught on his wrong side, and then dispatched it with his right boot with aplomb. It was a brilliant goal with which to gate-crash the party.
That the crowd, which included Fenway Sports Group owners John W. Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon, was in the frame of mind to forgive was revealing.
What will be interesting to see is how long the patience lasts; both that of Anfield and Klopp
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| Moments after the Kuzmin's departure Can scrambled home to level the score |
Liverpool ran and tackled and harried and competed, but it is the lack of quality that stands out not the work-rate. What has been noticeable, both at Tottenham last Saturday and now here, was Klopp's frustration on the sidelines that he spotted passes before those on the pitch. A midfielder to switch the play may become a priority sooner rather than later.
The jitters continued, Simon Mignolet saving brilliantly to tip over Blagoy Georgiev's close range shot with neither Martin Skrtel nor Mamadou Sakho near him, before the visitors momentarily self-destructed.
Kuzmin had been booked for a reckless challenge on Alberto Moreno after 19 minutes and Can needed little invitation to be sent sprawling from a duel soon after prompting the official to brandish a red card. Punishment came at the double.
Kuzmin had barely made it to the dressing room when Philippe Coutinho delivered a free-kick, Divock Origi won a header and Can scrambled home from four yards.
The equaliser brought an out-pouring of emotions on the touchline. Klopp turned towards the Main Stand, thrusting his fist through the night air and bellowing his delight into the faces of those supporters in front of him.
But he is aware of the insecurities of Liverpool have endured on home soil. It is likely that it will take the permanent reintegration of Christian Benteke, ushered on following injury in the 63rd minute, and Daniel Sturridge, who hopes to come back into contention for the visit of Southampton on Sunday, before the potency returns.
Benteke, who is intriguingly a player Klopp tracked while at Borussia Dortmund, will be disappointed that he wasted an immediate chance to make an impression when volleying Clyne's cross over when well-placed before being denying by the woodwork.
In the main, minds are racing, along with the legs, and when the coolness of thought the manager wants was evident it brought a clear cut chance.
Adam Lallana picked out Benteke and his shot struck the base of Rubin goalkeeper Sergei Ryzhikov's post as Liverpool mounted a late charge.
That it was to no avail will ensure Klopp recognise there is plenty of work for him to do.
Liverpool (4-3-2-1): Mignolet; Clyne, Skrtel, Sakho, Moreno; Milner, Allen (Lucas 45), Can; Lallana, Coutinho (Benteke 63); Origi (Firmino 74).
Booked: Skrtel, Allen.
Goal: Can (37).
Rubin Kazan (4-2-3-1): Ryzhikov; Kuzmin, Kverkvelia, Kambolov, Nabiullin; Georgiev Ozdoev; Kanunnikov, Eduardo (Portnyagin 64), Karadeniz (Dyadyun 81); Devic (Cotugno 45).
Booked: Kuzmin.
Sent-off: Kuzmin.
Goal: Devic (15).
Referee: Robert Schorgenhofer (Austria).
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