This archive report was first published on 22 July 2019.
On a sweltering evening at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox, Liverpool's European champions were dealt a blow in their pre-season preparations as they fell 2-1 to Sevilla in a friendly match.
Sevilla's Alejandro Pozo sealed the win in the 90th minute, collecting a pass from Munir El Haddadi, rounding Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet, and knocking the winner into an unguarded net.
The match was marred by controversy when Joris Gnagnon was shown a straight red card in the 76th minute for a reckless tackle on Liverpool's Yasser Larouci, who was stretchered off the field.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was furious at the incident, saying, "(It's) much too early in the season to create headlines with saying the things I think about the situation."
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Liverpool were unable to find a way ahead, and the loss was made worse when Larouci was stretchered off the field.
The match was played in hot and humid conditions, with players granted water breaks and the pitch receiving extra water during the match.
Both teams made wholesale changes at halftime, but Sevilla's intensity and pressure told, with Nolito's powerful shot in the 37th minute giving them the lead.
Liverpool's equalizer came off a scrappy set piece, but it was not enough to prevent the loss.
Sevilla's win was a significant one, especially given the absence of several key players from Liverpool, including Roberto Firmino, Alisson, Mohamed Salah, and Sadio Mane.
