Liverpool went down to the only goal of the game at Anzhi Makhachkala, whilst Newcastle recovered to draw in Bruges and Tottenham were comfortable winners at home to Maribor. Liverpool fielded a young, inexperienced side in Moscow and went down 1-0, the goal arriving just before half-time from Lacina Traore, and whilst the Reds enjoyed periods of possession they rarely looked like salvaging a point against Anzhi Makhachkala.
Anzhi now top the group by a point, with Liverpool and Young Boys tied second.
Reigning Europa League champions Atletico Madrid suffered a surprise 2-0 defeat to Group B rivals Academica in Portugal.
A goal in each half from Wilson Eduardo gave Academica victory and denied the Spaniards the victory needed to guarantee progression to the last 32.
Swiss side Young Boys enjoyed a shock 3-2 win over Serie AUdinese, leaving the Italians bottom of the group.
Fenerbahce all but guaranteed progression from Group C with a 2-0 win over ten-man AEL in Turkey with former Liverpool striker Dirk Kuyt and Moussa Sow scoring the goals.
Marseille and Borussia Monchengladbach played out a 2-2 draw with Joey Barton scoring direct from a corner for the French team, levelling an earlier Mike Hanke effort.
Jordan Ayew looked to have sealed the game for Marseille until Juan Arango equalised in the third minute of stoppage time.
Newcastle failed to grab the win they needed to guarantee qualification from Group D but did fightback from two goals down to draw 2-2, all the goals arriving in the first half.
Ivan Trickovski and Jesper Jorgensen gave the Belgians a 2-0 lead inside the first 19 minutes before goals from Vurnon Anita and Shola Ameobi just before the break earned the Toon a point.
Bordeaux stay second after David Bellion's 16th minute goal proved enough for them to see off Maritimo 1-0 in France.
Edison Cavani scored all four as Napoli beat Group F leaders Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk 4-2 in Italy, but the visitor's remain top.
Tottenham had a comfortable 3-1 home success over Maribor, Jermaine Defoe hitting a hat-trick.
A poor piece of defending from Kyle Naughton and Hugo Lloris allowed Robert Beric to level against the run of play just before half-time, but Spurs continued to dominate after the break to claim the three points.
The result that moves Andre Villas-Boas's side up to second in the table - two points behind leaders Lazio, who beat Panathinaikos 3-0, and two above third-place Maribor.
