Match ends, Rubin Kazan 0, Liverpool 1.
Rubin KazanRubin Kazan0LiverpoolLiverpool1
Liverpool gave themselves the chance to qualify for the last 32 of the Europa League with a game to spare with victory over Rubin Kazan.
James Milner shot against the crossbar early on for a dominant Liverpool after Roberto Firmino's through ball.
The deserved opener came after the break when the impressive Jordon Ibe struck home his first goal for the club from 20 yards.
Milner and Ibe had shots saved before the visitors held off late pressure.
Second-placed Liverpool now trail Group B leaders Sion by two points but are three ahead of Bordeaux, who visit Anfield on 26 November.
The Reds will qualify for the knockout stages if they win that match, with their last game a trip to Switzerland to face Sion.
So far, so good for Klopp?
Jurgen Klopp's appointment as Liverpool boss was greeted with almost universal excitement by Reds fans after a disappointing start to the season under Brendan Rodgers.
Thursday's win - their first in this season's Europa League - was their third in succession and supporters will have seen nothing to suggest their belief in Klopp is misplaced.
A new high-tempo, direct pressing style left Rubin Kazan with just 32% possession and seven shots - none on target - compared to Liverpool's 23.
The result means Klopp is unbeaten in his opening six matches, a positive start to his tenure.
New era still a work in progress
With Daniel Sturridge and Danny Ings still injured and Christian Benteke only just back, Liverpool looked a little toothless in the final third.
Their approach play and continual pressing of their hosts resulted in total domination, but just six shots on target from 23 attempts.
The hosts looked disinterested offensively for large periods but Liverpool's failure to kill them off almost cost them dear as the Russians pressed late on.
A new approach in Europe?
Rodgers made a host of changes for Liverpool's opening two Europa League matches of the season
But Klopp named a strong side for the second successive match, despite leaving Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho on the substitutes' bench.
Securing Champions League qualification has to be the main aim, but not even a 4,000-mile round trip persuaded Klopp to leave some of his stars in Liverpool.
Man of the match: Jordon Ibe
Manager reaction
Klopp told the Liverpool Echo:"Jordon is a skilful player and a big talent - fast, strong, good at dribbling
"He has to learn so much but has a real good base. He feels good. You could see it in this match.
"Like everyone, he has a long way to go. If he's prepared to listen then he will be very good."
Stats you need to know
- Rubin Kazan changed their official name to FC Rubin last month
- They had only lost once previously in the Kazan Arena, a stadium that will be used in the 2018 World Cup
- Liverpool are the first English team to win in Kazan, with the Russians having beaten Wigan, Chelsea and Tottenham by one-goal margins
- Liverpool have not lost an away European game they have scored in since April 2010, a run of 10 matches
What next?
Liverpool will attempt to make it four straight wins in all competitions when they host Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday.
Line-ups
Rubin Kazan
- 1Ryzhikov
- 21CotugnoSubstituted forUstinovat 81'minutes
- 5Kverkvelia
- 88Kambolov
- 3Nabiullin
- 77Georgiev
- 15KislyakSubstituted forAkhmetovat 70'minutes
- 99Kanunnikov
- 10MarquesSubstituted forOzdoevat 45'minutes
- 61Karadeniz
- 11Devic
Substitutes
- 4Lemos
- 13Haghighi
- 14Bilyaletdinov
- 22Dyadyun
- 27Ozdoev
- 49Ustinov
- 85Akhmetov
Liverpool
- 22Mignolet
- 2Clyne
- 6LovrenBooked at 76mins
- 17Sakho
- 18Moreno
- 23CanSubstituted forSkrtelat 90+3'minutes
- 24Allen
- 33Ibe
- 11FirminoSubstituted forLeivaat 81'minutes
- 7MilnerSubstituted forLallanaat 61'minutes
- 9Benteke
Substitutes
- 10Coutinho
- 20Lallana
- 21Leiva
- 27Origi
- 32Brannagan
- 34Bogdan
- 37Skrtel
- Referee:
- Kevin Blom
- Attendance:
- 41,585
Match Stats
Home TeamRubin KazanAway TeamLiverpool
- Possession
- Home32%
- Away68%
- Shots
- Home7
- Away23
- Shots on Target
- Home0
- Away6
- Corners
- Home1
- Away7
- Fouls
- Home13
- Away19
Live Text
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Full Time
Second Half ends, Rubin Kazan 0, Liverpool 1.
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Christian Benteke (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Vitaly Ustinov (Rubin Kazan).
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Jordon Ibe (Liverpool) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Gökdeniz Karadeniz (Rubin Kazan).
Substitution
Substitution, Liverpool. Martin Skrtel replaces Emre Can.
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Corner, Liverpool. Conceded by Saba Kverkvelia.
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Offside, Liverpool. Adam Lallana tries a through ball, but Jordon Ibe is caught offside.
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Foul by Christian Benteke (Liverpool).
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Ilzat Akhmetov (Rubin Kazan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Adam Lallana (Liverpool).
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Blagoy Georgiev (Rubin Kazan) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Attempt missed. Jordon Ibe (Liverpool) left footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Lucas Leiva.
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Foul by Joe Allen (Liverpool).
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Maksim Kanunnikov (Rubin Kazan) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt missed. Marko Devic (Rubin Kazan) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Vitaly Ustinov with a cross.
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Foul by Alberto Moreno (Liverpool).
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Vitaly Ustinov (Rubin Kazan) wins a free kick on the right wing.
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Foul by Lucas Leiva (Liverpool).
