Liverpool kicked off their Europa League campaign with a 1-1 draw away at Bordeaux.

The Reds took the lead through Adam Lallana's strike shortly after the hour mark, before Jussie came off the bench to rescue a share of the spoils for his side.

A lively end to the match saw both teams create further half-chances, but in the end a point apiece was the right outcome.

Here, Sports Mole takes a closer look at how the 90 minutes of action unfolded at the Stade Chaban-Delmas.

Match statistics

BORDEAUX
Shots: 11
On target: 6
Possession: 48%
Corners:4
Fouls: 8

LIVERPOOL
Shots: 10
On target: 6
Possession: 52%
Corners: 8
Fouls: 10

Was the result fair?

In the end there can be little denying that a 1-1 draw was the right outcome. Both sides took it in turns to offer the odd glimmer of hope in a first half that failed to truly take off, before a poor opening period to the second 45 minutes made way for an entertaining finale in South-West France.

It took 35 minutes before the first shot on goal was registered, but it would be wrong to file this contest under the 'boring' category. Two sides who have made stuttering starts domestically were perhaps cautious of losing the game more so than winning it, though having finally taken the lead through Lallana's strike Liverpool probably should have seen out the remainder.

As it was, Jussie proved to be the hero for the home side after being brought off the bench, leaving the two sides with a point apiece. Rubin Kazin's defeat to Sion elsewhere leaves Group A well poised ahead of the next round of fixtures, in a pool that could potentially go down to the wire on this basis.

Bordeaux's performance

Like their opponents, Les Girondins have made a slow start domestically by winning just one of their opening five Ligue 1 games. A 2-2 draw away at Paris Saint-Germain last time out, helped by some poor goalkeeping, meant that it was the hosts who came into this game on a slightly more positive note.

After being forced to sit back and soak up constant waves of Liverpool pressure in the opening quarter, the French outfit came more and more out of their cage and looked particularly lively when Diego Rolan got himself on the ball. Bordeaux's biggest problem was forcing 100-cap keeper Simon Mignolet into making any big save, yet the Belgian stopper was left with little chance when trying to keep out Jussie's well-hit leveller.

Liverpool's performance

On the balance of things, having made eight changes from last time out, this was a decent enough point for the Reds to kick things off. Brendan Rodgers is clearly more focused on domestic matters, despite stating pre-match that he sees Europe's secondary competition as a real platform for Liverpool to achieve success this season.

The tempo was too slow for large parts as far as the Merseyside outfit are concerned, but Lallana's goal was a standout moment for those travelling supporters to witness. An early injury picked up by Kolo Toure on his first start of the season certainly did not help matters, forcing Rodgers to introduce Pedro Chirivella at the back.

The game ended with a largely young Reds side holding on for the point, which they successfully managed to do, but it ends Liverpool's run of winning each of their last five opening games in European competition. Supporters will not be all that concerned, but improvements certainly need to be made when Norwich City arrive at Anfield in a few days' time.

Sports Mole's man of the match

Adam Lallana: This was not Lallana at his best, but his goal underlined just what a talent he truly is when in the right frame of mind and - more importantly - fully fit. Five tackles and three successful dribbles also enabled him to get the better of his midfield opponent on the night.

Biggest gaffe

Had Bordeaux failed to rescue themselves a point, all eyes surely would have turned towards Enzo Crivelli, who failed to adjust his body when Nicolas Maurice-Belay's rebound fell into his path five yards from goal.

Referee performance

Spanish official Alberto Undiano Mallenco had just one big call to make, which came in the first half when Jordon Ibe went down inside the box. Waving away the quiet appeals looked to be the right call, in fairness, with very minimal contact on initial viewing.

What next?

Bordeaux: Jean-Louis Triaud's charges welcome Toulouse to the Stade Chaban-Delmas on the weekend, aiming to pick up just a second three-point haul of the season.

Liverpool: Norwich are the visitors to Anfield on Sunday evening, as Rodgers looks to get his side's domestic campaign firmly back on track.