Liverpool fell behind for the fourth time in five matches this season but fought back to beat LASK 3-1 in Linz in the Europa League on Thursday.

Elsewhere in the early matches in the first round of the group stage of the second-tier European competition, Romelu Lukaku earned last year's beaten finalists Roma a 2-1 victory at Sheriff.

Bayer Leverkusen crushed Swedes Hacken 4-0, Rennes cruised past Maccabi Haifa 3-0 in France, Spaniards Villarreal lost 2-0 to Panathinakos in Greece.

In Moldova, Leandro Paredes scored four minutes into first-half injury time to give Roma the lead away to Sheriff. Colombian Cristian Tovar levelled but Romelu Lukaku gave Jose Mourinho's team a narrow victory.

September 21, 2023

In the Conference League, Aston Villa, returning to European competition after a 12-year gap, fell behind in the third minute to Legia Warsaw and despite equalising twice lost 3-2.

Pawel Wszolek met a cross from the left with a sliding volley to put Legia ahead. Jhon Duran levelled after six minutes heading in a rebound after a Nicolo Zaniolo shot. But the Poles regained the lead after 25 minutes when Wszolek crossed from the right and Ernest Muci scored on the half volley.

Lucas Digne levelled with a deflected shot from the edge of the box after 38 minutes but Muci settled the game with a low shot after 51 minutes. Croatians Zrinjski Mostar came from three goals down to breat visiting AZ Alkmaar 4-3.

Myron Van Brederode, Sven Mijnans and Dani de Wit put the Dutch side three goals up by half-time. Zvonimir Kozulj started the comeback afrer 48 minutes and ended it in the 81st minute, sandwiching goals from Josip Corluka and Aldin Hrvanovic.

September 21, 2023

C. Tovar

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