Goalless draw secures top spot for Liverpool

Socceroo Brad Smith has starred in his first start for Liverpool, helping the English club advance to the knockout stages of the Europa League in a 0-0 draw against Sion.

Liverpool topped their Europa League group with ten points while Dortmund finished second in Group C, three points behind Krasnodar, meaning two of Europe’s most well supported teams could now clash in the round of 32 in February.

Securing top spot will help slightly in terms of the opposition Klopp’s side are likely to get in Monday’s seeded draw.

However, Lucio says the attacker must turn down Camp Nou and remain on Merseyside, and expects Coutinho to prosper further under Klopp’s tutelage.

“I am really satisfied, no-one is injured and they were very focused and concentrated on the game”.

“It was not a game to make something special and take it to the next game”.

He admits the performance was a long way from their best but said it was not for the lack of effort.

“The gaffer made that clear to us before the game as well”. It was a tough game in tough conditions, but we’re top of the group and we move forward.

“A few weeks ago it was far away from us that we could reach this place but we did it and it is really good”.

There is little time for respite for Klopp and his men – after arriving back in Liverpool the club must now prepare for Sunday’s visit from West Brom.

The midfielder also paid tribute to Brad Smith, the Aussie full-back enjoying an impressive full debut at left back after impressing from the sub’s bench against Southampton. “He was unsafe for us, getting good crosses in”, he told BT Sport.