Liverpool failed to capitalise on their dominance once again as Udinese came from behind to stun the home side leaving Anfield with a 3-2 Europa League win.
Brendan Rodgers' side dominated the first half with some neat interplay and nice one-twos. The Reds took the lead on 22 thanks to Jonjo Shelvey's thumping header off Stewart Downing's cross.
But the half-time-lead and confidence did not last long, 32 seconds after the restart to be exact, when Italian skipper Antonio Di Natale struck the equaliser into the top corner.
Liverpool crumbled into bits after that, Sebastian Coates putting one through his own net on 70 minutes thanks to a glancing header as he challenged Maurizio Domizzi, and Di Natale starring again providing Giovanni Pasquale who made no mistake of drilling a 25-yard rocket past a helpless Pepe Reina to make it 3-1.
But the Uruguayan's strike ended up being nothing but a consolation goal as Liverpool fell to their third successive home defeat, ruing missed chances and fruitless dominance and team play once again.
Rodgers' men completed over three times the passes of their Italian opposition which shows their control and dominance. But as long as this does not lead to more and affect the scoreboard, it all comes to nothing.
Udinese were everything the Reds were not - streetwise, hard-nosed and ruthless when presented with a chance. The Italians are the first side to beat Liverpool at Anfield in Europe since Fiorentina in December 2009, ending an unbeaten run of 13 matches.
As far as Rodgers is concerned, his men are breaking all the wrong records and that has to change. Quickly.
Liverpool 2-3 Udinese (1-0)
Liverpool Goals: 22:06min Jonjo Shelvey (33), 74:08min Luis Suarez (7).
Udinese Goals: 45:31min Antonio Di Natale (10), 69:57min Sebastian Coates (16) OG, 71:54min Giovanni Pasquale (26).
Liverpool: 25 Reina; 49 Robinson, 23 Carragher, 16 Coates, 2 Johnson; 33 Shelvey, 24 Allen, 14 Henderson (8 Gerrard - 65.); 11 Assaidi (7 Suarez - 65.), 29 Borini (31 Sterling - 79.), 19 Downing. 4-3-3
Subs not used: 1 Jones, 4 Sahin, 37 Skrtel, 47 Wisdom.
Udinese: 1 Brkic; 11 Domizzi, 5 Danilo, 17 Benatia (bkd 66.); 26 Pasquale, 66 Pinzi (bkd 68.) (88 Willians - 70.), 7 Agyemang-Badu, 6 Faraoni (bkd 91.); 27 Armero (22 Lazzari - HT), 10 Di Natale (14 Ranegie - 85.), 37 Pereyra. 3-4-3
Subs not used: 25 Padelli, 16 Coda, 31 Fabbrini, 75 Heurtaux.
Sky Stats: Liverpool-Udinese
Attempts: 11-5
On target: 7-3
Corners: 7-6
Free kicks: 9-7
Passes: 757-241
Passing Success: 91.3%-71.8%
Tackles: 18-21
Tackling Success: 77.8%-66.7%
Territorial Advantage: 52.8%-47.2%
1st half Possession: 79.7%-20.3%
2nd half Possession: 71.9%-28.1%
Possession: 74.5%-25.5%
Referee: S. Johannesson
Man of the Match: Antonio Di Natale
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