FC Sion v Liverpool match report: Jurgen Klopp relieved to avoid injuries on icy pitch in Europa League qualifier

FC Sion 0 Liverpool 0: Dismal goalless draw secures top spot in Europa League group for Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp gives instructions from the touchline (EPA)

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp was grateful to leave Sion unscathed after a difficult night on a tricky pitch in Switzerland.

A dismal goalless draw on a semi-frozen pitch secured top spot in a Europa League group from which they had already qualified and made it four draws and two wins in Europe this season.

“It was difficult, the ground was very difficult to play and for both teams the first thing to do was show you were prepared for a game like this and that is what my team did,” Klopp said.

“It was not our best football and although it is an outdoor sport, frozen ground is for other sports.

“Of course in each tournament at this level there should be heating for the ground – that is not good [there was none] – but now we have played here and if we come here again it will maybe be April and I hope it will not be that cold.

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

Philippe Coutinho came on in the second half after his hamstring injury (Reuters)

The German made six changes from Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle but even with the inclusion of 21-year-old left-back Brad Smith, making his first start, he still fielded a side of 11 full internationals, even though they lacked cohesion and fluency.

Smith’s energy and enthusiasm to get forward meant his flank was Liverpool’s most profitable in the first half but what could just about be described as their only chance saw Divock Origi fire a left-to-right shot wide of the far post.

The arrival of Philippe Coutinho on the hour for his first appearance in four matches following a hamstring injury offered some hope of an increased goal threat, but Sion’s goalkeeper Andris Vanins thwarted Origi.

The home side gave it more of a go in the final 10 minutes but they were more than happy with the draw to take them through.