It was the perfect embodiment of a game of two halves at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan as Liverpool raced into a 3-0 lead in the first half with two goals from Roberto Firmino and one from Sadio Mane, before Sevilla turned the game around after the break with a brace from Wissam Ben Yedder and a last gasp equaliser from Guido Pizarro.
The La Liga side had not lost in 25 games and 364 days at home, since a defeat to Juventus in November 2016, but the visitors got off to the perfect start to bring an end to that unbeaten run, as they took the lead within two minutes.
Philippe Coutinho’s corner from the right was met at the near post by Georginio Wijnaldum whose glancing header found Firmino at the back post and the Brazilian squeezed it in to give his side an early lead.
After the rapid start from the Reds, Sevilla should have been level with two quickfire chances on the 20 minute. Loris Karius denied Nolito by expertly tipping his curling effort onto the post before gathering and Wissam Ben Yedder’s shot across goal rolled narrowly wide just a minute later.
The home side would quickly regret those missed chances as Liverpool doubled their lead within one minute, and it was a carbon copy of the first goal.
Coutinho swung in another corner from the right, but this time Firmino flicked the ball on and Mane got down low to head past Sergio Rico and make it 2-0.
Sevilla’s defence was totally at sea and it wasn’t long before a rampant Liverpool side had their third of the night. Mane broke clear down the left and made his way into the box, before striking low. His effort was kept out by Sergio Rico but fell straight to Firmino, who tapped into the empty net from six yards out for his second goal of the night.
The home fans were stunned as it looked like Sevilla’s formidable home run would come to an end, and Sergio Rico had to be on hand to keep out a low effort from Mohamed Salah just before the break to stop the scoreline from becoming even more emphatic.
However, despite Liverpool’s total dominance of the first period and Sevilla’s lackluster display, the game was turned totally on its head after the break.
Eduardo Berizzo opted for a half-time change with Franco Vazquez replacing Steven N’Zonzi and the swap seemed to have the desired effect.
The home side started the second 45 on top and had a goal back just six minutes after the break. Alberto Moreno committed a needless foul on the right touchline which gave Sevilla the opportunity to put the ball into the box. Banega swung the ball in and Ben Yedder rose at the front post and sent hi glancing header past Karius and into the far corner.
The early goal was the perfect confidence boost for the Spanish side and Liverpool were pinned back in their own half.
After 59 minutes, Moreno was at fault again as he tripped Ben Yedder inside the box after his poor touch had allowed the striker to nip in and steal the ball, and a penalty was given. Ben Yedder then dispatched calmly from the spot at the second time of asking, after his first penalty was ruled out for encroachment.
Jurgen Klopp had seen enough after the second goal and decided to make a double change, swapping Moreno and Coutinho for James Milner and Emre Can.
The defensive swap allowed Liverpool to stem the tide and Sevilla’s constant attacking threat was blunted somewhat.
The home side were dominating possession throughout the second half but struggled to carve out guilt-edged chances after their two early goals, while Liverpool continued to look dangerous on the counter attack.
However, Sevilla were able to complete their impressive comeback in stoppage time after Johannes Geis’ effort was deflected behind by Ragnar Klavan.
From the resulting corner, the ball ricocheted to Pizarro in the middle of the area and he took a touch before rifling home to level the scores.
Sevilla were able to extend their unbeaten home run in unlikely circumstances and a point away to Maribor in their final group game should be enough to see them through to the knockout stages.
Meanwhile, Liverpool will be bitterly disappointed not to have already sealed their place in the last 16 with a victory tonight after being totally in control at half-time, but they know that a draw at home to Spartak Moscow will be enough to qualify.