Celtic’s Scottish striker Leigh Griffiths (2nd L) scores the opening goal in the UEFA Europa League Group A against Fenerbahce at Celtic Park in Glasgow on October 1.

DPA/Madrid


Liverpool and Celtic continued their poor starts in the Europa League with disappointing home draws Thursday against Sion and Fenerbahce.
Youngster Adam Lallana gave reserve-packed Liverpool an early lead after being set up by Divock Origi, only for Ebenezer Assifuah to quickly level for Sion.
The draw left Sion top of Group B with four points and Liverpool third with just two.
“The result was disappointing considering the number of chances we created. We worked well and had a good start but gave away a disappointing goal,” Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said.
“The players worked hard, but we couldn’t score the goals. You have to be clinical. We scored a good first goal. They weren’t half chances - they were good chances, and you have to score them at this level. We have to win a game like that.”
In Group A, Celtic had to settle for a 2-2 draw at home to Fenerbahce despite taking an early 2-0 lead on goals from Leigh Griffiths and Kris Commons. Fernandao rescued the visitors with a handsome brace.
“We played well in the first half. They got the goal, and that gave them energy. It was disappointing that they scored from almost the (only) two chances that they had. I’m disappointed that we didn’t win, but I’m happy that we got the point,” Celtic manager Ronny Deila said.
Molde, who drew 1-1 at Ajax, are top of the group with four points, followed by Ajax and Celtic with two apiece.
Borussia Dortmund kept top spot in Group C with a 1-1 draw at PAOK, while Napoli stayed atop Group D with their second win, 1-0 at Legia Warsaw.
Rapid Vienna won 1-0 on Thursday at Dynamo Minsk, Liberec prevailed by the same score at Marseille, and Villarreal edged Viktoria Plzen 1-0.
Leo Baptistao, who scored Villarreal’s goal, said the side is in good form.
“Tonight’s win allows us to continue that,” he said. “We are enjoying our matches and keeping things very tight in defence. It’s true we’re not scoring a lot of goals, but one goal is enough if you manage to defend well.”
Earlier, Schalke 04 continued their excellent start in Group K Thursday, crushing Asteras 4-0.
Franco di Santo was Schalke’s hero with an impressive hat-trick, then Klaas Jan Huntelaar completed the rout.
Schalke have six points from two matches, which leaves them two above Sparta Prague, who beat APOEL 2-0.
In Group J, Tottenham were held 1-1 at Monaco. Erik Lamela gave Spurs the lead, only for Stephan El Shaarawy to level for the hosts nine minutes from time.
“Of course we cannot be pleased with this result,” Lamela said.  “We should really have killed the game off with a second goal.”  In the group’s other match, unfancied Qarabag surprisingly edged Anderlecht 1-0.
In other games, Lazio beat Saint-Etienne 3-2, Fiorentina cruised 4-0 at Belenenses and Athletic Bilbao crashed 2-1 at AZ Alkmaar.