Angry Darwin Nunez snubs Toulouse offer as chaotic Liverpool press conference details emerge
Moments you may not have spotted during Liverpool's Europa League clash with Toulouse on Thursday
Liverpool suffered a surprise Europa League setback when they were beaten in Toulouse on Thursday evening.
An own goal by Cristian Casseres and late strike from substitute Diogo Jota were not enough as the Reds suffered a 3-2 defeat in France.
The result means Jurgen Klopp’s men now stand just two points clear at the top of Group E and still require one win from their final two games to qualify for the knockout stages. But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at the Stadium de Toulouse.
IAN DOYLE: Liverpool's problems horribly apparent as Europa League truth clear to those inside Toulouse stadium
The press conference
That Klopp regarded the press facilities in Toulouse almost as badly organised as his team's wayward performance underlines the sense UEFA didn't exactly cover themselves in glory with their arrangements in south-west France.
There had been mild concern on Wednesday when the pre-match conference took place in a rickety marquee tent in the middle of a car park outside the main stadium. It was difficult to make out what both the Reds boss and Caoimhin Kelleher were saying although, as part of the job working in the media, such worries are admittedly trivial and not entirely unusual. No real harm is done.
However, that changed after the game when, to reach the temporary conference room, Klopp had to make the walk from the stadium to the tent and back through thousands of Toulouse fans who were celebrating their biggest victory in years. The security plans were for there to be a clear passage created by stewards in order for the manager to reach the press conference unhindered, but eyewitness reports indicated this didn't happen.
It was unnecessarily dangerous. And a large number of supporters then began banging on the flimsy metal fence that surrounded the tent, further angering Klopp, who was already unhappy with what his players had served up, and alarming the French translator who was sat alongside the Liverpool boss..
Given the actual press room inside the stadium consisted of a small desk at one end of a tiny room - remarkable given it hosted games in both the World Cup in 1998 and Euro 2016 - it's understandable why the conference was moved elsewhere. But the choice of venue underlined the chaotic nature of much of the evening, with visiting supporters also complaining of difficulties entering the ground due to lack of proper organisation.
Strange scoreboard
The haphazard, slipshod approach extended to whoever was operating the screens inside the ageing Stadium de Toulouse. Before the game, Liverpool's number 66 was announced as being that famed right-back Kent Alexander-Arnold.
And when the Reds' third goal was initially allowed, the scoreboard steadfastly refused to acknowledge it had happened.
The subsequent bizarre manner in which Jarell Quansah's strike was eventually chalked off prompts questions over whether the screen operator knew something the rest of us in the stadium did not...
Nunez not pleased
Amid all the recriminations of a frantic injury-time period could be found Darwin Nunez. The Liverpool striker had struggled to make an impact after being introduced during the final quarter, and became embroiled in an argument with Toulouse goalscorer Frank Magri.
Nunez was booked following the flare-up, and could also be spotted pointing firmly at an imaginary watch on his wrist towards whichever official was nearest as Toulouse began to waste time.
And after the final whistle, he went to shake the hands of his opponent before realising it was Magri and quickly withdrawing his offer.
Matip confusion
A rather bizarre night was further underlined during a curious second-half incident involving Joel Matip. The centre-back went up with Thijs Dallinga for a header only to be accidentally caught by a flailing arm.
Matip understandably went to ground holding his head while the Toulouse man similarly collapsed to the turf in agony while nursing an injury to, er, his leg.
And then there was home goalkeeper Guillaume Restes needlessly belting Mohamed Salah with a high shot as the pair raced to meet a throughball. Decision? Goal kick.