Liverpool suffered a shock 3-2 defeat at Toulouse, their first loss in this season’s UEFA Europa League, having beaten the French team 5-1 in the reverse fixture at Anfield two weeks ago.
Meanwhile Brighton & Hove Albion secured a second successive 2-0 victory over Ajax as victory in Amsterdam boosted their hopes of reaching the last 32.
West Ham United edged to a narrow 1-0 win over Olympiakos in Group A thanks to a Lucas Paqueta strike.
And Aston Villa recorded back-to-back Europa Conference League wins against AZ Alkmaar, coming from behind to triumph 2-1 at Villa Park.
How Liverpool’s match unfolded
Toulouse went ahead on 36 minutes through Aron Donnum, who dispossessed Kostas Tsimikas, drove forward and scored via a deflection.
The hosts doubled their lead just before the hour-mark when Thijs Dallinga completed a fine team move.
Cristian Casseres’ own goal pulled one back for Liverpool on 73 minutes, but moments later Frank Magri restored Toulouse's two-goal lead.
Substitute Diogo Jota made it 3-2 and Liverpool then thought they had equalised through Jarell Quansah, but his strike was overturned by VAR after Alexis Mac Allister was adjudged to have handled the ball.
Liverpool are still well-placed to qualify from Group E and need just one more victory from their final two matches. The Reds are back in action on Sunday when they welcome Brentford.
Group E standings
| Team | Matches played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | 4 | 9 |
| Toulouse | 4 | 7 |
| Union Saint-Gilloise | 4 | 4 |
| LASK | 4 | 3 |
See: Liverpool report and line-up
How Brighton’s match unfolded
The Seagulls took a 14th-minute lead through Ansu Fati, who had also scored against Ajax at Amex Stadium a fortnight before.
Fati would turn creator for Brighton's second on 53 minutes, as the on-loan Barcelona forward played in Simon Adingra (below) who finished into the far corner to seal a famous victory.
However, the win would come at a cost, as Brighton suffered three defensive injuries, with James Milner, Lewis Dunk and Pervis Estupinan all limping off.
Brighton now move on to seven points and would clinch a place in the next phase of the tournament if they win at AEK Athens in their penultimate Group B fixture.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side will now turn their attentions to a home match with Sheffield United on Sunday.
Group B standings
| Team | Matches played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Marseille | 4 | 8 |
| Brighton | 4 | 7 |
| AEK Athens | 4 | 4 |
| Ajax | 4 | 2 |
See: Brighton report and line-up
How West Ham's match unfolded
There were few clear-cut chances at the London Stadium, as West Ham set out to avenge their loss to Olympiakos in the reverse encounter.
Paqueta, who was on the scoresheet in the last match between the sides, met a corner from James Ward-Prowse and volleyed home in the 73rd minute, scoring his third goal in this season's competition.
The hosts almost equalised when Mady Camara headed against the woodwork, but West Ham moved to the top of their group based on their head-to-head record and need two points from their final two matches to advance.
David Moyes' team host Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
Group A standings
| Team | Matches played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| West Ham | 4 | 9 |
| Freiburg | 4 | 9 |
| Olympiakos | 4 | 4 |
| Backa Topola | 4 | 1 |
See: West Ham report and line-up
How Aston Villa's match unfolded
Vangelis Pavlidis put AZ Alkmaar in front on 52 minutes, latching onto a ball over the top and dinking over Emiliano Martinez.
Villa levelled less than 10 minutes later as Diego Carlos rose highest to meet Leon Bailey's corner and head in his first goal for the club.
Diego Carlos' equaliser
Aston Villa goal #️⃣1️⃣ for Diego. 🇧🇷 pic.twitter.com/AGgQC4rZxo
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) November 9, 2023
With nine minutes remaining, Ollie Watkins nodded in to complete the turnaround.
Villa need just one more point from their final two matches to reach the knockout stages.
They return to Premier League action on Sunday, at home to Fulham.
Group E standings
| Team | Matches played | Points |
|---|---|---|
| Legia Warsaw | 4 | 9 |
| Aston Villa | 4 | 9 |
| Zrinjski Mostar | 4 | 3 |
| AZ Alkmaar | 4 | 3 |
